apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I went to the one in Chelsea about 2 weeks ago. And finally saw a media cabinet I like. I'm arranging to get it this saturday.
Alot of nice new items. But the couches I'm still not a fan of. They are a bit too futon like, and one of the ones on display the cushion was sunken in in the middle.
Eventually I want to get the Round dinning table with the cut outs.

The whole lamp isn't $20, just the shade. I think it would be so great for the dark chocolate walls in my bedroom.

west elm?

i've been to the store a couple of times, and i have to say that the quality is some of the worst i have ever come across from a name brand store. beyond the tanglible flimsiness of the couches, chairs, and just about everything else, the floor models look like someone took a shotgun to them, indicating that they are not likely to survive the long haul. i promise that the breaking beds are only the beginning.

i cannot understand why anyone would take this store seriously or choose to buy something there, as it is also extremely overpriced given the "style" and poor quality (yes, i did write "style," because the only C-H-E-E-S-Y can describe West Elm).

I've generally favored the "clean lines" design of many of the West Elm furnishings, though I'm not overly impressed by the quality of the wood veneers/finishes I've seen in the store so far. (hey, I like expresso.) I don't know about the quality of the construction beyond what I've read here about the platform beds. I'm really disappointed in the foam sofa cushions which don't seem to hold their shape even under store display conditions.

I will however admit buying several accessories there that struck my fancy. I've noticed that many times more color choices for items are available in the store than what's listed in the catalog.

Thanks for the info on the quality!

expresso/espresso, chocolate, caramel whatever they all look very similar online. To clarify I was referring to the colors of the accessories not the wood finishes.

For quality at a good price, go to Room & Board. They opened a space in Soho on Wooster between Prince and Spring (away from the annoying crowds). The seats and sofas were really well crafted. The finishes on the wood furniture are first rate (not shiny). I was impressed. Oh, and the staff seemed nice too.

for what it's worth, i agree wholeheartedly with gmb. room & board is great, and you won't find duplicate products at Ikea (as has happened with West Elm).

West Elm------I WISH I could forget......remember my bed fiasco?? It's posted somewhere within the apartment therapy website.

As aesthetically pleasing their stuff can be, I would NOT recommend buying any of it!!! It's very shoddy in terms of quality. I would stick to accessories only.....And, let me tell you, it breaks my heart because the price points are decent. (although, they seem to be rising steadily, along with customer dissatisfaction!)

Room and Board is a good alternative. The Door Store is not bad either. I actually replaced my WE Bed with one from them....so far, so good!!

This will be my first West Elm purchase, I tried looking else where but the Cube Cutout Media Cabinet--page 27, is just what I've been looking for. I hope it lasts, but reading from above it looks like it won't.

I also love Room & Board. However, Room and Board and West Elm are so NOT in the same price bracket. My thinking/advice is-- buy the best you can afford (especially when it comes to main upholstered pieces), and don't buy it all in one place. But West Elm fits a style niche NOT found anywhere else. I'm glad it's there. I think for accent pieces, for shelving, for accessories, for lighting, West Elm is great. ESPECIALLY for the price.

I just gotta say thank god for the aesthetic change, whatever the quality. If I saw one more freaking gigantic purple cushion on a big block chair (that is so out of proportion no human being could actually sit on it without feeling like they are 4 years old) I was going to scream. Whew.

What do you think of the new "Off set shelf sofa" they have added? (Sorry, not sure how to link to the web page). I like the look, but not the fabric choices. Does anyone else make something similar?

The Off set shelf sofa" hmmm, looks like the cushion might slide off no?
I myself am a bit weary of armless couches.

Are you referring to the bottom cushion? I used to have something similar, rather like the "Case Study Day Bed" sold at DWR (only cheaper & third hand). Never had a problem with the cushion sliding. It may depend on the construction of the bench it rests on. Yeah, I know what you mean about the armless couch, still I rather like it with the shelf that extends around the back.

do you people not read descriptions? anything marked with 'wood construction' is particle board with a thing wood veneer.'solid hardwood' is just that. If you would read a description prior to a purchase you would realize what you are paying for.

I definitely like the look of WE but I'd also be leery of buying anything substantial there after reading about the breaking beds here. Also, I think a lot of it looks nice, but isn't very practical in terms of life. Like the round cutout table that MRoman referred to. I like it too, but then I sat at in the DUMBO store. Hmmm. Maybe it's just me, but I like my legs to fit under a table when I'm eating. But it takes a very pretty picture.

Oh Ruth, you and your pesky legs! ;)

I'm coming to this conversation late, but thought I'd mention that even knowing you have to be quality cautious with WE I've bought a fair number of things from them.
My white nightstands, which are cool and elegant and
modern and were super cheap are very well made. The
curved chair that's in the catalogue now at $169 in white or green, but is sometimes on sale, has great lines and is well made. And I've bought lots of bowls, baskets etc. all with happy results.

Maybe I could learn to sit with my legs out to the side -- a little French savoir faire? French Women Don't Get Fat, after all.

I just placed an order (argh!) for the offset leg coffee table (something like that). Which looks like a very substantial piece. We don't have a West Elm store anywhere here, has anyone bought one of those or the Chunky Dining Table? Maybe I need to call and cancel! Please tell me at my email address listed above!