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That's fabulous, I love West Elm!!! Those creations from catalog pages are AMAZING.

Another overpriced Pottery Barn.

Joan52
West Elm is actually fairly cheap. It's less expensive than Pottery Barn, in fact.

more importantly, it is more interesting. they bring a global/modern slant and change out there collections in ways that clearly delineate one from the next. unlike pb which is profoundly the same season after season.

West Elm is fairly tired, regardless of its relative price point. It was doing some interesting things a few years ago but the chocolate laminate is tired. The shiny overlapping squares and the heavy proportions and the cheap, 'ethnic influenced' prints, are tired. The store opening should have happened in '06.

Joan52--

It's part of the Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn family, but the vibe is totally different.

I guess it's so easy to rag on chain stores of any kind, but I would always love to hear where the chain-bashers who have a modern aesthetic are actually shopping...

Luckypeach--

I disagree. There's still lots to love if you have a good eye and need this price point.

Wow, I never imagined there could be any West Elm haters. I love West Elm! The nearest store is 400 miles away, but I try to visit once or twice a year.

Not everything they've sold has been a hit, but overall I'm very happy with their design, quality, service and price. Also, their shipping is reasonable and they pack everything really, really well. Last year they shipped me a 100 lb marble-topped coffee table - excellently packed - for $27.

I wish West Elm many years of success - and selfishly, too, because honestly, there just aren't that many other companies in their league.

You naysayers should be glad you've at least got the option. Where I live, we don't have West Elm, Pottery Barn, etc. If you want anything modern, it's Ikea or $8,000 chairs.

west elm is not overlooked by interior designers, who use some of west elm's pieces in their work photographed by major magazines. it's nice to see this instead of all items available to the trade only.

I was very enthusiastic about West Elm when they first started, but now I find CB2 to be the rising star. Quality issues and price have turned me off and I, too, am tired of the "chocolate laminate" -- and let me tell you, it doesn't age well.

But I have still found some nice bargains, and choice and competition are good -- so welcome to our new neighbor. Any store opening in this economy is a positive thing!

I'm not sure why the "chocolate laminate" hating? I still rather like it and what isn't "laminate" in this price range? When they've tried introducing other wood tones they haven't seemed to be successful. The various white, green finishes seem gimmicky to me, but may suit someone's decor. Personally I haven't had a quality issue, but its to be expected on occasion at any store.

Also for opening day they're offering free shipping in the 25 mile metro area! I'm stopping by today.

There is nothing wrong with disliking Pottery Barn, West Elm and other chain stores just as there is nothing wrong with liking these stores.

We are fortunate we live in a society where there is room for different choices and that I can happily open the box that the UPS man just delivered containing my bread basket from Williams Sonoma.

I like West Elm enough that I used it as inspiration for a paint makeover on some old 1970's faux-oak-laminate childhood furniture that my better half had when we met. I also like their color schemes and still do.

I haven't really bought anything there for my own place, but I love walking into their showrooms. I think the stuff is really pretty and I'm glad this one is closer to where I live than the one in Chelsea.