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When I first saw the big red one on their site I got super excited, because it was exactly what I was looking for for our living room, but then I saw the price. I was really shocked, even knowing that Anthropologie's furniture tends to be expensive.

Oy vey. I'm so sick of Anthropologie and how they are such big proponents of this so-called "boho-chic" look. The real irony being, bohemians couldn't in their wildest dreams even begin to afford any of their merchandise. (Not that bohemians probably dream of merchandise... but I digress).

Maybe I'm just frustrated because I admire their wares and am unable to afford it myself, even though I am far from bohemian.

I know they must be well-made and all, but they still look like super cheap tin serving-trays to me. I can probably find a bunch of look-alike trays in grocery stores of poor suburban areas of China.

I really don't understand where this cost comes from. Based on guestimates o material costs and production costs, even if this thing was made locally by fair trade labour using locally made materials (which we know it's not) the price seems excessive. Plus Anthropologie is a large company that can factor in economies of scale. It just doesn't really add up.

But nice inspirational eye candy AT. Now to get down to the local thrift store to begin searching for old plant stands/record stands, cheap serving trays, nice fabric and decoupage glue/resin...

I think Anthropologie is just one seller of these tables.

The Ukiyo tables were designed by Tomita Kazuhito and are produced by Moroso.

Unica Home sells them for $437 - $472.

Thanks Janel!

With your info I did some more research...it is actually KazuhiKo Tomita, and here is a direct link to the Moroso site.

Thanks for the name correction info, Aaron.
I've been admiring these for a while - it's interesting to see Anthropologie carrying them now.

it's actually the bobo look -- bourgeois bohemian -- and priced accordingly. Someone -- david brooks? -- wrote an amusing book on the subject.

like the tables though. sort of thing I wish I had a use for

I saw various Moroso pieces somewhere recently -- in a mag, I think -- and just love them. There was what was described as a "FUTTON" which had a vintage kimono fabric/vintage-look fabric that was just fab. And there are these marvellous rolling benches.

I really like all the red furniture that is popping out all over.

As for prices...

Anthropologie used to sell only authentic items, but as their sales increased (and profit demands from investors likewise) they now make cheaper imitations of authentic items, but sell them for the same price, thus making an enormous profit margin. It's quite sad actually. I remember when the ubiquitous 3D tin letters and numbers they sold were actually made of, hmmm...tin? And now they're just a cheap plastic material painted to look like tin.

so very sad.

spanishfish- no, they're definitely still made of metal. i freelance for their visual department and i've hung quite few of them.
i still think their stuff can be prohibitively expensive despite the fact that they often pay my bills.
these tables are really expensive but i've seen them go for a lot of money elsewhere as well. i think it would be a pretty easy project to remake.

I think with just some metal and a little weilding skill, modge podge and oriental paper one could recreate these easily.

They always seem to have such great products at both Anthropology and Urban Outfitters.