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They are great places for inspiration.

I drop into C&B once in a while. They're textiles and kitchen stuff can be attractive. I do own a set of dishes from there. And silverware.

P&B is a rarity. Occasionally, I'll check their site for curtains and pillows. The store is so boring.

I really hate any (even vaguely) anti-C&B or PB sentiments.

Give these retaillers some credit, jaded New Yorkers.

HA! Like Starbucks indeed. My best friend and i are both very busy but we have a tradition of meeting at CB (on Houston) every 3 months, stake out a comfy sofa and catch up for a couple of hrs! We've been doing this for the last 5 years!

I have nothing against either, We've got a PB locally and it's a little more expensive than I'm interested in but I have gotten curtains and a lampshade there. I wish we had a C&B (or even better, a CB2), as whenever we visit my sister in Berkeley, we hit the outlet and score some great stuff! I registered for my wedding at C&B and got some very nice linens and tons of great kitchen stuff. So I don't know if I'd hang out there but I'm not going to knock 'em.

I just don't like going to any stores like that during the holidays unless I need something. I think they both have something to offer, but I wouldn't use them for Christmas gifts, so I'll just save my trips there for other times of the year.

i was at c&b on SATURDAY and it was PSYCHOTIC but i got what i needed.

then i ended up finding the same thing (but nicer, and cheaper) at CB2, so now i have to go back to c&b to return the firstly purchased one.

those places were nutso.

and i went to muji...didn't get the hype AT ALL.

pottery barn just doesn't do it for me. though pbteen does...for their lamps and pendants.

anaguy--

I'm sure the employees in the furniture department just LOVE you.

anaguy, that's awesome!! i want to do that!



i did forget to mention to my dreary previous comment that i drool at both c&b and cb2, but i prefer shopping online!!

I've always been curious why people like to dump on C&B. We registered with them for our wedding (stemware, barware and the cool Steamer bar cabinet) and recently purchased their beautifully linen upholstered Colette bed. They do a very good job of interpreting stylish trends into classic pieces AND their furniture (upstairs) comes from good quality manufacturers who also sell to ABC Home, Jense Lewis, etc.
PB is alittle too "Connecticut" for my taste, but there's nothing like the PB holiday catalogue to get you into the holiday spirit! =)

If you have a good eye and "mine" from either place, you end up with a personal look that isn't "too anything".

Does anyone remember the vaguely Louise XVI cow chair featured in our Colour Contest entry? http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/fall-colors-2007-east/fc-east-finalist-4-christorontos-winter-antidote-036514 The chair came from PB and we had it reupholstered in the cow skin. Well, our upholsterer said it was the worst made chair she had ever seen; some of the strapping was hanging loose it had been so poorly fastened and the original foam was woefully inferior. Buyer beware!!!

I grew tired of the PB esthetic about ten years ago, they seem to be selling the same tired thing now that they did back then.

C&B has at least moved forward, into the 21 century with their product. I also feel C&B has a much better selection and variety of stuff for my place.

Having shopped at CB2 since the first store opened in 2001, I was so very glad that the SoHo store opened up just a few months after moving to NYC from Chicago.

IMO, CB & PB both have really great basic pieces that can be matched with cooler accessories to make quite a stylish look. And the prices are great. The only problem would be if someone got everything they owned from one store or the other-- could make for quite a bland, "Connecticut" look, as ndvheller put it, as I acknowledge even as a transplanted CT girl!

PS-- kdkaboom, I didn't get muji, either.

I third (fourth?) the "huh?" sentiment of Muji. It is just so low key that it's almost aloof. And there's plenty of "aloof" to go around in SoHo as it is.

I was at the Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn outlet in Riverhead over the weekend and despite the fabulous sale (30% off everything), there was nothing worth picking up... except for the Triple Clad cookware that was 40% off, which was still way too expensive for me. Yes, PB definitely needs a makeover.

By the way, the Pottery Barn at Broadway/Houston is set to close soon. It's going to turn into a Hollister/Abercrombie & B... Fitch, or some other clothing store that I am 20 years too old for.

Could Maxwell's visits to these stores have anything to do with the "client" we've been hearing so much about? (When are we getting an update? We're clamoring...)

I wish I could go to Muji so I could make some judgments about it too! I'm still ga-ga over the mere idea that they now have a store in the US. You New Yorkers.

Is it just me or did AT go downhill following their change last week? I mean the postings are just..Yawn.

It's just you.

Both PB and C&B have standout pieces, and I give them props for having a well-defined aesthetic. I tend to avoid the physical stores, but enjoy browsing online and flipping through the catalogues. PB, PBteen and even PB Kids have really excellent sales, especially on textiles, and I find that their patterns mesh well with my apt's look. Thumbs up for beautiful $30 duvet covers!

Also, PB has really excellent customer service - another big plus.

Also, god for bid someone should cover some up and coming designers. Perhaps discussion on past designers. I have no problem with the aforementioned stores but come on lets take this to the next level. Armani Casa sells some accents for $100 and under.

There are always great articles in Dwell and Living etc. Can't we get a thread going discussing some of the ideas from there.

I guess I am just board from AT right now. Sorry.

hejira--

Who's your source for the PB closing news?

P2 - 5 yrs running and we've never had a problem or gotten any attitude for lounging there - plus we're pretty damn sure that CB has probably sold many a couch because folks passing have observed how comfy we were...(not that i can prove that)...
J'wo maybe we should inquire about commissions for the lovely vignettes we've presented over the years.

And when I say designers. I mean furniture not nic-naks.

Sorry Patrick thought I could have an opinion on here. This being a blogging site and all.

Maybe PB more so than C&B, but they both have a style that is more broadly appealing and maybe better for people who have a really hard time with 'styling' their house. Where I start to twitch is when I go into people's homes and they've tried recreate the catalogs in every room. Aaack. I am still not on board with all the furniture made out of MDF but it seems to prevail almost everywhere you go these days. And I almost never pay full price for anything from either store. I just can't get myself to do it. I have to say the PB books are some of my favorites and I recommend them as a starting point to family, friends and clients who feel they have no ability in decorating.

And for the record I dropped a little over $1800(not my $$) in C&B this past Saturday. Noho Store. Basically fitted an entire apartment (less furniture) meaning towels, kitchen, lamps, bed linens, etc. I would only do this at C&B period. The service is just too good and everything you need is right there. Furniture was purchased from desiron, dwr, room and board and nik-naks from ACasa.

Why should anyone give them credit if they don't feel it is particularly due? I'm not the ideal customer for either of these stores. It's that simple. No matter how many seasons pass, they crank out new lines of merchandise that always seem profoundly the same. I dog-ear the pages and ultimately don't want any of it. It's a well-defined aesthetic that bores me.

I love C&B. I got my table runner and throw pillows from there, all purchased at various times, and I love browsing their furniture floor. I don't plan to buy anything major this year, though I may run in to pick up the Melty Mint candy they stock every holiday season. So good!

PB's stock isn't as varied or interesting to me, but I do love the rattan tables I got at their online store. I use them as nightstands.

At least Crate and Barrel does not have a really easily defined "look". Pottery Barn's look is fine, but I have been in too many houses where I instantly recognized Pottery Barn. If you house looks like Pottery Barn, even if not a stick of furniture comes from there, you have a problem.

michaelc--

Um, I was being sarcastic, as I . This being a blogging site and all.

Thank you Lady J. In 5 lines you basically said what I tried to with 4 different comments. However, if you need kitchen items and basic sheets on the same day (and not for my apt) this is probably the best stop. That is about as much credit I will give. For the love of god people. Save your $$ stop in at modern link on bond st. Owner is nice and the girl if still there is very helpful. You may spend $2k but at least you will walk out with one of a kind mid-century find. Timeless.

LadyJ--

Where do you shop, typically? Whose aesthetic does not bore you?

Not arguing, just curious.

Ah, I imagine the michaelces of the future in forty years advising everyone to stop in at the Barn Barn in "Clinton" for one-of-a-kind turn-of-the-century timeless classics.

I miss Casandra and Edina.

Did a quick browse thru PB on Sunday to look at the Christmas "pretty sparkly things", but generally prefer Crate & Barrel for serious decor dreaming.

I'm old enough to remember the pre-Starbucks world, where it was impossible to get a decent cup of coffee in rural/suburban America. The idea of affordable design didn't exist back then. Anything inexpensive was chintzy (literally) -- we're talking Mario Buatta knock-offs.

PB and C&B were pioneers in understanding that people on budgets might have a taste for simple, unadorned housewares and furniture. The problem today is that so many other retailing sources have surpassed them for quality affordable design.

I definitely give them credit, but I haven't shopped there since, well, before I started lying about my age.

Anaguy: love the anecdote.

As for the rest, I actually own stuff from both Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel, though I prefer C&B to PB. Most recently I bought a dressmaker's dummy at PB Teen, spurning antique and vintage ones at Paula Rubinstein for the pleasure.

A piece of furniture I feel I could never do without came from the old Bon Marche -- think of place selling things for dorm rooms and first apartments with an aesthetic somewhere between Ikea and Straight From The Crate.

West Elm and Restoration Hardware are also represented in my collection. Not to mention stuff from Levenger's and Gothic Cabinet Craft.

As much as I like finding arcane items in obscure shops, I can't imagine rejecting a pre-fab design solution simply because it is pre-fab. That's snobbery at its worst.

Well Crate and Barrel has a big fun variety, every year, of Christmas tree ornaments. Good to buy in multiples, and/or on sale right after Dec. 25.

I like that Crate and Barrel has a partnership with Marimekko. I will be buying Marimekko wrapping paper, napkins and a table cloth this year. I also like their everyday dinnerware and euro wine glasses.

Oh, I think we all go to these places to find the little bits we need here and there... if you get sucked into the whole aesthetic thats your own dang fault. PB is great for lamps and the occasional hand-blocked bedding, C&B can't be beat for cheapie glassware and party trays. Plus I live 2 blocks away from Bway & Houston, there's no where else i know of in the 'hood to get anything reasonable.

And I loved the person who posted about having catch-up dates at C&B... genius! I hope next time to see you there with a little picnic basket.

p(too) -

When I'm dreamin' I go to ABC. Not to buy and mostly to the first floor textiles. There's a lot in the way of color, pattern and texture that's up my alley. Pier 1 has been skewing more and more modern and less import which is frustrating but I still dig through their offerings. West Elm is frankly more challenging. Modern is not my thing, but they bring out interesting patterns most of the time. They started out classicly eastern, more Indian and now it's Modern Moroccan. Z Gallerie is often surprising in a good way. Around town: Hip & Humble Home, Home Abroad, Timbuktu, places like that.

There are also a few websites like Touch of Class, Target (much better stuff online), Spiegel, World Market, Company Store, JCPenney (yes!) and Moroccan importers.

I even keep an eye on Urban Outfitters.

If you've seen my AT Cures on Flickr, you know how attractive bold colors and patterns are to me. (Which is why the bright striped C&B dishes are work so well.)

I couldn't tell you off-hand where C&B or PB even are out here, though I'm sure I've been to one or the other at a couple of "upscale lifestyle centers."

We went looking for a big leather chair at PB back when the husband worked for their parent company so we were entitled to a substantial discount. We were so underwhelmed that we went across the street to a tiny, locally owned shop and paid full price. (Alas, that shop is gone; the owner decided to specialize in bondage beds.)

The only thing we've ever bought at C&B was a glass pitcher, which is one more thing than we've ever bought at PB.

Before p(too) demands to know where we could possibly shop... that's what locally owned stores are for. You folks in Manhattan have amazing options -- why on earth are you at the chain stores that have outposts in every galleria in suburban America?

FWIW, my story of PB Customer Service. Years ago, I ordered several upholstered pieces from them and my order was sitting in a trucker's warehouse (about to be delivered in a few days!) when there was a fire and everything was smoke damaged. This was no fault of Pottery Barn's (an independent trucker), but they called me immediately to explain, offered the option to cancel the order, and when I didn't, sent me a personally written letter with a $250 gift card. Additionally, my re-order was expedited (3 weeks versus the 6 weeks I had waited for the original). I thought that was really classy and it was as though I was dealing with a "mom & pop" furniture store, not a huge retailer.

If Crate and Barrel and Pottery Barn are the crossroads then I weep for the world. I sometimes wander into these stores, but am never convinced enough to buy anything. They both feel very generic to me.

On the same note, I once went to Starbucks and the person behind the counter asked me if I wanted whipped cream on my coffee. This is why the Europeans hate us.

What's so bad about Crate and Barrel??
Why is that all of the stores that seem to cater to the "Apartment Therapy Crowd" seemed to be looked upon with such disdain by everyone here?

I don't buy furniture at PB, but have purchased an excellent chaise longue at CB Outlet that has held up quite well with constant use. The Starbucks analogy... who came up with that? ... is perfect. PB is fun to browse in and I do make smaller purchases - medicine cabinet on sale, decorative items, bedding. Our local CB often hosts wine / appetizer tastings that aren't terribly crowded if you show up early and it's a fun and festive atmosphere. Would I call them the crossroads? Not really, no. Would I shop more upscale designer-y shops if I had the cash? Of course.

Four non-C&B shoppers is hardly widespread disdain.

It's just so weird to hear the same people who'll tell you it's worth a huge premium to live in Manhattan for all the special things there getting excited about a store that's in every upscale suburb across America. I so look forward to visiting my favorite home stores in Chelsea and the UWS on our rare visits... if I had daily access to those stores, I would not be hanging out in C&B.

I mean the tone in the original post: "Even though we have mixed feelings about Pottery Barn and don't consider ourselves big Crate & Barrel shoppers" ..there's just such a smug tone of indignation in that very sentence. And i've picked up on it in multiple posting on this site, not only in the comments section but in regular articles as well. I pick up on it with Ikea references, and Target references as well.. I think everyone needs to come to grips with the fact that the minimalist, modern, clean line aesthetic is mainstream now and Apartment Therapy zealots are no longer the "Cool and different Kids"...... This stuff can be found in Home Depot and Lowes now...

You're right, jamilkb -- given that the blogger "frequents" both and recommended both as sources of "protein furniture" in the AT book, it might be time to drop the faux reluctance to be seen there. That, and C&B advertises on the site.

(MCM has been at Wal-Mart for a couple years now, btw. How much more mainstream can you get?)

I don't dig either, especially PB. I used to like C&B about 7 or 8 years ago. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't their stuff used to be more modern? Now it all looks like traditional being brought to modern... ick!!!

I don't understand all the C&B and PotteryBarn dissing. It may not be "high design" enough for some people but for many it's well priced, fairly good quality furniture, with relatively mainstream aesthetics and they are available virtually everywhere. We don't all have unlimited budgets or live in cities with fabulous furniture stores.

I <3 Crate & Barrel...especially their kitchen stuff...gadgets and serving pieces...yes, they're "basics" but it works with casual or formal dishes...not every item in an apartment needs to be designer...I knew there were ikea snobs on this site, but I've never heard of c&b snobs

pottery barn on the other hand...they do have a very farmhouse catalog look that's quite overpriced for what it is...I'm not a fan, but some people can make some pieces work-when used IN MODERATION!!!

Wende--

"Demand", huh? Um, okay. I usually ask that question (and yes, I do it often) because I am truly interested in the answer when people scoff at the major (and I find to be respectable) retail choices.

Um, yes lots of choices in New York City, but very few that stack up to the price point and relative quality of a C&B (furniture or household "basics"), with a major retail mentality that translates into customer service, availaibility and an infrastructure to handle the shopping process. And in other places where C&B or PB represent the top of the pricepoint food chain, sadly, here in NY among the myriad of choices, they are FAR from the high end of the cost scale.

And for those who find C&B or PB too mainstream, I WISH these retailers represented the look of the "average American home."

And for those who "crash on the sofas to catch up" at C&B but turn their noses up at the overall concept, it's sort of like people who hang out with people they didn't really like in high school but they had a pool.... ;)

And wende--

Which home store do you plan to frequent on your next NYC trip?

Portico, gone. Details, gone. And the list goes on, unfortunately.

As the original "...crashser..." nowhere do I state that I disdain the concept of CB et al (though for the record I don't like the PB aesthetic). I don't have to defend my actions to you - I am and have always been an avid supporter of CB, but I couldn't let your snippy little remark slide ;)