It was a lot easier not to set foot in walmart when they didn't market to us . . .

Cute desk. I like it with the vintage chair.

It took a few hours to put together?

Cute desk. Buy the well-designed stuff from Wal-mart when it meets your needs, ignore the crap. If everyone did that, Wal-mart would sell less crap.

I wouldn't be so apologetic about buying this desk. Who cares if it came from Walmart? If the design is right that's what matters.

Just curious, but when sitting at the desk, can you actually feel the sweatshop labor Wal-Mart relies on for its low, low prices? Hey, as long as it looks keen, I guess that's what really matters.

serious question--for all the posts about buying "green" and socially conscious shopping-- you will shop at walmart?

I really like the design. I wish it came in a light blue variation and had a slightly taller hutch.

Brent, now that was just harsh - and I couldn't have said it any better than you.

Admittedly, I do think the desk looks cool. But seriously, I really have trouble buying anything from Walmart, regardless of how it looks or its so-called design "pedigree" (e.g., Martha Stewart home collection). Many of Walmart's full-time employees still qualify for public assistsance. It's the largest, most profitable retailer in the country (the world?) - why can't it offer all of its employees fully subsidized health care coverage and a living wage?

"Just curious, but when sitting at the desk, can you actually feel the sweatshop labor Wal-Mart relies on for its low, low prices?"

I almost fell out of my chair laughing. I like Sally and her posts usually so I don't want to be too harsh but this is a bit soon on the heels of the illegal wood at Walmart post yesterday.

Do you guys really think target is that much better?

Sally, the desk looks great. Even those atop their soap boxes agree. ;)

So... we boycott Walmart, the stores close and all the employees go on public assistance. After that, there's an economic ripple effect because all the people who shop there need to pay more for goods at a time of high inflation. Not to mention what happens to all their suppliers and other businesses that benefit from Walmart. After 5 years, the folks on public assistance reach the welfare reform time limits and lose all assistance. If they weren't homeless before, they are now, because the economy won't be replacing those jobs.

I agree with pressuring Walmart to pay living wages everywhere in the world - but boycotting them really doesn't achieve that goal.

Talk to people living on a minimum wage job in an area that has no other options and see how they feel about a boycott.

Although admittedly born from questionable ethics, the desk, especially in context of the home, is very, very lovely.

Oh come on. Nobody forces people to work at WalMart, and the $ they earn is competitive for the indusry. If a lot of WalMart staffers draw public assistance that just means they need the work more than others. Entry jobs are just that -- the starting line toward becoming whole and self sufficient.

Back to the purpose of the post: keen little desk that fills a need nicely. Good choice.

Love the desk. Love the chair. Love the wall stuff. All of it is great. Great mix.

I like the design too, and it looks great in your space. But I'm with Brent and 'inertia'. I would sacrifice some of the aesthetic value and/or functionality of my workspace before I'd support a company like Wal-Mart. "The few people who've been over to see it have been shocked that it was from there." --I think that's completely beside the point.

we all do what we can with our respective ideals & ethics, albeit sometimes hypocritical. all that matters is whether you can live with your decision once it's been made.

we are only human, after all.

"It's the largest, most profitable retailer in the country (the world?) - why can't it offer all of its employees fully subsidized health care coverage and a living wage?"

Because then it wouldn't be the largest, most profitable retailer in the country?

@Taureg-thanks for a post that has brought some balance back to the topic.

I love the desk.

I hate Wal-Mart. (I've been proudly boycotting since 2004.)

And I find some serious flaws in Taureg's logic. The number of customer service jobs is growing and will continue to grow.

The thing to worry about with stores closing is the wasted development.

I'll leave the desk discussion to the others; I'm interested in your artwork.

I have the same two posters from Blue Ant, they are beautiful! However, finding a 12x18 frame that looks decent has proven difficult, and I see you didn't frame yours. How did you hang them?

I love the black accent wall by the way. It's hard to make them work and yours sure does!

well, it just goes to show that everyone has their 'buy-out' point. i certainly have mine. you can't stay on your high horse all the time.

There are much more productive ways to combat the problems with Wal-Mart than scrutinizing those who shop there.

It looks great in your space. I was liking it before and I like it more now. The chair looks awesome with it as does everything else!!

Great desk. I am a Wal-Mart buyer. I'm way too broke to do otherwise. You just can't beat their prices!

Hey everyone - thank you for all the comments! I'm happy (some of you) like it! - Sally

I hope it's not too late to make a relevant post but here goes. I really like that desk. The sweatshop argument is absolute rubbish to me. The only difference between Walmart, Target, and the likes of Ikea and its ilk is that Walmart is flagrant and unabashed about its exploitation. That doesn't mean that Target and Ikea aren't doing the same thing. They just keep it on the low. If it's an ethical matter, the only way to reasonably reconcile it is to make your own things. On another note, I would be remiss if I didn't state how much I love that wall behind the desk!

I kinda feel that if you try to do they right thing all of the time you will wind up doing it most of the time which is more than you can say for most people. There are also times when what you really feel is right and what you would really like to do are just out of your reach-or price range or other resource range- and you have to do what you can realistically do. If that falls out of you normal mode of promoting good and shunning evil then that's ok because you still do more than most.

AT rocks and EVERYONE does things that may be considered hypocritical at some point in their lives.

did I mention AT rocks?

I don't know the pedigree of the desk, but I do wonder if those who talk about sweat shops and low wages are checking the history and manufacturing of everything they buy at places like Ikea.

I don't buy at Wal-mart. I don't buy at Ikea. I buy second hand when I buy. Mostly, I just try as hard as I possibly can to let "need" rule me instead of "want".

The desk looks great. The color is good and the overall area is well-designed. (The white vine accent especially goes well.) If the desk lasts you a 10-15 years, then that's super. And yes, pressboard furniture can last a very long time. I've had pieces remain functional and in good condition for over 20 years. People who complain about longevity should let us know how long they keep a piece of furniture before swapping it for something new for aesthetic reasons before they judge others.

Nice desk.

No shame in Wal-Mart. Vote with your feet and your wallet. As loud as those that make weak societal good arguments squawk, someone (like the 1.5M people they employ, or the 80% of Americans that shope there 1 times per month) is finding $380 billion worth of stuff they like as well.

Anti-Wal-Mart arguments are largely similar to anti-evolution or anti-global warming arguments, all rhetoric with no fact base.

This has nothing to do with Wal-Mart or the desk, but: I have that exact chair! I bought it at a university surplus store 10 years ago, and love it.

LOVE the posters and the algue (algae?) "stuff" on the wall...

I just purchased a new desk after MONTHS of searching as well! I Proudly share in your HAPPINESS.... haha

I hope all the WalMart haters don't eat any fruit. Ever. Or did you think the migrant workers had health care benefits?

I like that every now and then you put something on here from Ikea or Wal-Mart or some other inexpensive place. Those of us just starting out and with limited resources (read money) but have some design sense, need tips like this one. I try to avoid chain stores whenever possible, but sometimes you can't find a vintage or stylish desk without spending a lot of money. If I found this at a flea market and it was affordable, I would buy it. otherwise, off to Wal-Mart I would

A fan of the desk and it's environs, not a fan of Walmart. Their employee practices, the fact they move in to a town and then abandon it, and the fact that they sell meat that has an INGREDIENTS LIST, just puts me off, not to mention the ones i have been dragged to are rather depressing, though the prices are eerily low on may things. Hmmmmm "Buy n Large" much?

I like the desk. It's a great fit in that space.

Having lived in places that ONLY have a Walmart to shop from... I rather enjoy the desk. I mean it stands on it's own design merits just fine... it's a great desk!
But what happens when Walmart employs have the people in your town? When they are literally the only market to purchase things from outside the local thrift store?
Then what? You can hate all you want, but it's not eco friendly to have something from another store, packed up, and driven to your house by 4 trucks and 2 airplanes.

People want something to argue about, and this desk shouldn't be one of them. It's a great fit in the space and looks amazing!

just to be clear-- not shopping somewhere is not "boycotting" unless you are organized and have specific demands. Simply going elsewhere is the free market at work-- you choose WalMart's competitors based on a variety of factors, and my guess is that for most of you who do not shop there, labor and environmental issues are just one of many things on the list.

I also tend to avoid shopping at places like this, but I do think it's good that apartment therapy at least allows for discussion about it.

LBhirise - awesome!

This desk looks really good. It definitely doesn't LOOK like it came from walmart and for that I say: "Good find!"

I'm always on the lookout for great deals on nice furniture pieces and I think you did a great job finding a nice desk for the right price.

Kudos

LBhirise hits it right on.

And don't tell me you only buy organic, or at the farmer's market - they employ migrant workers without proper wages or health benefits, too.

Bashing someone for shopping at Wal-Mart is just one more way of not looking at your own questionable practices. Because EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US here in the United States lives in a proverbial glass house. Without exception.

If you say you never knowingly support slave labor or sweatshops, it's because you're not looking very hard. Every one of us does, in small ways, every single day.

ditto, LBhirise!! This is a point I've had w/ the anti-Walmart people.

I, for one, think the desk looks great! We can't all afford to get our furniture at DWR, Modernica, etc.

What is it with this anti-walmart??? Its like jumping on some kind of bandwagon. Would people feel differently if there never was a Walmart Movie? I feel if there were movies about bad biz practices at kmart, target or even the mom-and-pop store down the street people would boycott anything.

With all that said - I'm frantically looking into ways of getting this desk delivered to my house

It's not an attack, it's a serious question. It seems like there are a lot of AT bloggers and commenters who are making serious efforts at buying "green" products, eating organic, and recycling, the benefits of all of these things are debateable too.

What about buying goods that are made in a sweatshop? Do you try to avoid them as well? Is that as important? Personally, I don't care about your organic cotton t shirt, or reusable grocery bag, if it is made in a sweatshop.

This doesn't seem to be talked about a lot here, and I'm curious.

Inertia -

It's totally true - everyone at this place (myself included) lives with massive privilege re: purchasing items. We can all afford to buy everything we need, and much of what we want. I mean, I can't afford DWR, but I can always find an item that fits both my budget and my requirements....

Unfortunately, there are also a lot of people on here who are far too self-righteous about the things they are doing right, and also:

1. very fast to judge others about the choices those others make

and

2. totally unwilling to admit that they personally are still supporting a lot of the practices that they go around judging other people for all over this board.

It can be pretty frustrating, all the blame-throwing around this place, when everyone doing the accusing has plenty of their own sins.

I wish people would stop the entire "I'm greener than thou" contest and start looking at their own practices more closely, instead of just spending their time damning the choices of others. It's counter-productive, and just plain dumb.

way to sell out. . .

Ugh. Reading all this posts is quite tiring especially those that think they're too good for wal-mart. Originally it was about a desk and how it fits in her home then it became a debate. Ridiculous. It's a fine desk but I don't like orange so that's my opinion. Who boycotts any store unless someone was extremely rude to you or you've had bad experiences there? LMAO!!!!!

The money argument always bugs me - whether it's Ikea, Wal-Mart, Target etc. People have gotten so jaded that they reduce everything down to the dollar sign - regardless of the other 'costs' involved.

Yes, of course Wal-Mart is cheaper. They use sweatshop labor, low wages, forced low hours, tax breaks, and cheap ass materials to make their schlock. So does Ikea, Target etc.

The question should be "Do I like this desk enough to account for ALL of the factors involved in it's making?"

Seriously, start thinking about how cheaply made imported crap hurts the US economy. Example: Which stimulates the economy more: Giving Walmat etc. a 400% profit margin, or giving an American a manufacturing job? C'mon folks - y'all should be smarter than the 'low price' argument.

I used to work for PBS--no fully subsidized health care there. I like the desk, I don't shop at Walmart because it's too far away and ugly when I get there, but that's just me. I hate Ralph's, McD's, American Apparel, Lucky magazine, rainy days and people who smoke.

Modfan, you should be smart enough to know that there is no such thing as a 400% GPM.

The WalMart criticism is not a judgment call of taste, nor is it reasonable to expect people to have looked into every retailer they do business with, but for those practices that are staring you in the face, it's a little remiss to say it's no big deal.

I wouldn't criticize people for shopping at WalMart on the whole, but when you are a tastemaker and plenty aware of what the labor practices at a certain store, as a home blogger is, then it's iffy. I love AT and Sally's posts, but I don't agree with one decision. However, saying people are jumping on a bandwagon for disliking WalMart is beyond counterintuitive.

And if you were wondering whether people had looked into Ikea's labor and employee practices, here they are:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/ikeas_environme.php

It disgusts me every time they won't give me a free plastic bag. Deforestation! Those sheep!

I like that algae stuff very much, but their prices are an outrage. $35 for six pieces of plastic? What a joke!

Where did you get the cute mini black ocean globe? (Please tell it's not Wal-Mart so I don't have to wrestle with my conscience as you did.)

i really love the comments here and thus must give the initial post a salute. so many strong opinions and interesting things to actually think about. and while i wouldn't buy your desk, it looks great in your space.

Wow, I should have read all the Wal-Mart hating before I complained about the plastic algae prices (above). I don't like Wal-Mart either, but ... let's just all ... hug or something.

Must admit it does look great. Hope it doesn't fall apart!

So I guess we should buy the $1000 pieces of furniture that only cost a few dollars to make instead of going to Wal-mart. hmmmm....*sarcasm*

Amen, Milena. There is much I can pipe in on this topic, but I'm late to the game here. I will say that there are many factors to weigh, but Milena has it right - I've been working in product development for 15 years. Most of the stores out there make their merch for the same price in the same countries as Walmart does, and then mark it up considerably more. For that reason I actually have a harder time shopping in "nicer" stores. (I work for a retailer who has what I would consider average prices and for the record we try to make whatever we can make in the US, but many things we can't find here - there are a lot of things no longer produced stateside, unfortunately.) And assuming all corporations don't care about where/how their low-cost product comes from is unfair/untrue. Anyway it's because of the huge greedy markup that I won't shop at several stores such as Anthropologie because I work with the same manufacturers that they do - I know how much they are paying those manufacturers and just how incredibly much the stores are just putting in their pockets. Walmart (which I don't like, personally, but I'm just saying) for the record actually sells at a short margin and sometimes below cost. (Which has its own set of problems for the overseas markets and it drives down prices of some things industrywide and it's the factories who eat the cost.) Okay, I guess I did pipe in afterall. For the record too, I think it's a cute desk for what it's worth.

I find it funny that people are setting this up as Walmart/Ikea/Target vs. DWR/Anthropologie, etc., when to me the real alternative is to buy vintage/used. I know the original post said that they couldn't find anything used that fit perfectly/was cheap enough, but honestly given the profusion of furniture on Craigslist/eBay/flea markets I'm kind of shocked that it was soooo difficult. I usually find more things that would work than I need, and honestly for as long as that desk is likely to last (not very), couldn't you put up with something vintage and not quite perfect, but made from real wood, until you do find the "perfect" desk? We all do live in glass houses here, but I feel like you have to draw your personal line somewhere, and I can't bring myself to pay even those low, low prices for disposable MDF and PVC laminate, all ethics aside.

All that said, your space looks great otherwise, but I honestly have to say I think the desk is hideous. To me it's like, ooh, neat vintage chair, cool black accent wall... and my boyfriend's college piece of crap desk from Ikea, now with weird orange and white things attached to it? To me it just feels like not wanting to put the work in to find something that really complements the uniqueness of your space. Sorry to be so negative... but that desk is not working for me on every level!

I love AT, but sometimes the posters enjoying riding their moral high horses too much.

I live in a rural area by choice. I've lived in cities and suburbs, but got tired of chafing under constant rules and not having enough privacy. City living is not for everyone. I happen to live in an area where, for most purchases, Wal-Mart is the only option. I'm also uninsured (like many Wal-Mart employees), and their $4 prescriptions are a lifesaver for me.

There are MANY problems with WM, and I fully support airing them and forcing management to find solutions. But guess who was the biggest private aid contributor during Hurricane Katrina? Yes, Wal-Mart. If you doubt me, read Doug Brinkley's The Great Deluge. They were a hell of a lot more effective than FEMA.

Sally, don't ever feel the need to defend your purchases. What works for you is the important issue, not holier-than-thou AT posters.

Finally -- LBhirise, you're right on target. Good on you!

WARNING, not about the desk!

I think the reason people target Wal-Mart is because they are the leader of the business model. They are the champions. I stopped going to Wal-Mart in 2004, and McDonald's as well. Don't get me wrong, I still buy things at Zeller's (a Canadian equivalent of WM, similar to the now defunct Woolco and Woolworth's) I also still eat junk food on occasion, though never from McDonald's. Does that make me a hypocrite? Maybe, but I think what's important is that I'm acting out my dissatisfaction with their practices in the only measurable way: by not spending there.

Wal-Mart is not only the largest retailor in the world. In fact, Wal-Mart is the biggest company on earth. Its sales in 2003 of $256 billion were more than the GDP of Poland. If it were a country, it would be ranked 19th in wealth in the world. NINETEENTH!!!! out of 250 COUNTRIES! A RETAILER! This is outrageous!

When a company makes that much money, they owe it to their employees to pay them properly and provide insurance. The company I work for doesn't net a fraction of that, and yet we are treated with extreme humanity...top guys are still rich. Everyone is still making money. I don't see what the big deal is. It's like a neurotic need to accumulate the most possible wealth, regardless of need or even the capacity to ever possibly spend it.

Oh, and the Katrina charity thing, that's publicity my friend, not humanism. They did that to be talked about and to improve their obviously sour reputation...

Probably got a heafty tax break from it as well!

@sarahrae - you DO realize that everything you've purchased from walmart has ALREADY been packed up, floated halfway across the world, flown or pulled by train, then trucked across the county to get to your little no-where town so you could put it in your SUV and drive it home?

its NOT eco-friendly at all, you're right. It would be MUCH better if you bought something made from American goods, produced by American hands and preferably as local as possible.

I still don't understand why people can't understand this. And the whole "there isn't anywhere else to buy things!" argument is SO lame.

What did people do before walmart? still around on the floor in their houses wishing they lived in the big city where people actually had things? No. There were lots of places to shop before big box business put them OUT of business.

No one cried about the loss of jobs then, did they?! Because Americans are selfish and if they can get a great looking Scandinavian desk for under $200 why shouldn't they? Americas are entitled to that, right?!

Ug. I think I'm done with AT.

Hey Palmetto. I stopped by WalMart right after leaving Ralph's and am now over here at McD's wearing my American Apparel slicker and reading Lucky magazine while having a smoke on this rainy day. How the heck are ya and what's going on ovah theah? ~:o) ~:o) ~:o)

i love AT... but am so sick of everyone judging those who shop at walmart.

my husband is in the military- i am a stay at home mom, with a part time job. military pay isn't all that great considering what they do for the country- my husbands been overseas multiple times, so we proudly shop at walmart for many things- groceries, toiletries, basics around the house, baby stuff etc.

its close and its within our budget. we are doing what works for US. noone else is helping us, and i'm sorry that walmart pays its employees low wages- etc, but they are creating jobs for people, and people CHOOSE to work there for a reason. thats just the way it is. some of you should get off your high horses and be realistic!

we choose to save money by shopping at wamart to put money aside for our home, family activities, and our sons college fund and I don't fee guilty one bit!

*i meant to say i don't feel guilty

ummm, aside from all the walmart hating...

is that algae three dimensional or is it a wall sticker? do you have a link?

I like the desk in that space. Good choice for you, so congrats.

For me this issue comes down to: if you know a company has horrible issues with treating their employees fairly, makes horrible deals with their suppliers, doesn't have a good history on environmental policies, dumps stores after forcing all other businesses out of town and yet you STILL purchase there - what does that say about your own morals?

I also find it foolish and short sighted that people think it is ok to shop there due to only being able to afford their "low" prices. Those prices come at a larger expense to our community as a whole.

Am I a perfect consumer? No, but I try to match my buying with my personal beliefs. And when I learn that a company has questionable practices I can not turn a blind eye.

Regarding the Treehugger report on Ikea (posted by Shannon), I'd take it with a grain of salt. There's an Ikea ad for "green" chairs on the same page at the time of this posting. :-p

Sure, get rid of walmart and every wrong in the world will suddenly right itself. There will be no possessions, a brotherhood of man. Yep.

The entire walmart phenomenon is just one symptom of a much larger problem. All of us can only do little things to help change its course. And I'll be honest, when I read the kind of unbending, polarized invective posted here, it just makes me buzz off to the nearest walmart.

Here's a mantra for you ... "The world is not as simple as I think ..."

Gaah! Why don't you ask the so-called exploited Chinese workers whether they'd rather have Wal-Mart there and employing them or not?

Look at the protests in the Chinese country side. Do you think that any of this would have been possible or publicized in the Western media if not for so-called exploitative companies like Wal-Mart setting up shop over there. Before, Chinese peasants would have protested and no one would have noticed or cared.

You guys write this stuff as if Cambodian/Chinese/Hmong children would have become doctors, lawyers, and investment bankers had Wal-Mart, etc. not come in and started employing them. Please, give me a break. I wish there weren't children working in sweatshops. But I also wish every child had plenty of food on the table, a Tier 1 research university education, and a puppy. But I don't have a magic wand. And complaining about Wal-Mart's exploitation isn't going to make those children's lives better. Likely, it will make them worse (perhaps they could look to the children in neighboring Thailand for good examples of what to do with their lives when the sweatshops are driven out by a bunch of Western Bobo's).

I choose not to shop at Wal-Mart because they don't pay their employees a living wage. I don't like my tax dollars paying for the public assistance that employees qualify for. A cute desk certainly won't change my mind about that.

ya know, i am quite anti walmart myself and have maybe shopped there twice in my life and agree completely with most things said on this boars... BUT it is hard for everyone to be PC/eco-minded/socially conscious individuals in EVERY aspect of life. sure, i want to, but i know that i am only human and occasionally there will be things that strike a chord that i often can't resist. today i went to the dry cleaner instead of air drying my cocktail dresses because i didn't have time to dry it myself. do i do that every time i go out? definitely not. occasionally? yep, maybe once every couple of months. will that REALLY make the world of difference? nope.

anyway i think that we all need to realize that everyone is human and while we can strive to be the best we can life happens. a step off the path here and there shouldn't throw us off our rockers. i am fortunate enough to live in a huge city and therefore be able to rely on public transportation and my own two feet instead of owning a car, buy local produce and choose from a myriad of eco-friendly furniture stores, but not everyone can choose that lifestyle.

OK- aside from the Wal-Mart issues (and NO- IKEA is not as bad...), this desk has a PVC laminate.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/polyvinyl-chloride

Read all about it and I hope there are some more posts on AT about PVC.