I know this isn't an open thread but I need some quick advice. Do you know of a Boston showroom with Duravit Starck bathtubs?

I googled myself into a coma.

and how different are these from the ikea version:

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15564&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=12585&langId=-1&categoryId=15658&chosenPartNumber=24286205

Differences:

--Choice of finish.
--S&S refers to its stool as birch bentwood, while IKEA refers to birch veneer and ash veneer. Bentwood is layers of veneer, yes? But I don't know what the significance of not using ash is, or if S&S just doesn't mention it.
--S&S refers to a "metal locking system" attaching the legs to the stool, while IKEA mentions no metal in the list of materials.

Are these significant differences? Don't know.

Update: source discovered! thanks gina for the email!

Ikea refers to it's bentwood as veneer. Many a time I've heard various folks describe what I was calling plywood as veneered wood. In other furniture arenas.

All Ikea stuff gets screwed or otherwise fastened with metal "locking system" -- it's the quickest, cheapest way to go.

The stool is too thin to accommodate particleboard or fiberboard beneath a layer of veneer, besides the ikea site doesn't include these in the description. It's bentwood, maybe the cheapest, but bentwood.

The ikea finish on that stool is show much paler on the site than it actually is, it's true color is identical to the stacks and stacks one.

Target used to carry a very similar version a few years back. I believe they were 15.99.

Actually, I just saw the Target version in stores this past fall. (Possibly they bring it back seasonally for back-to-school?) It's significantly more sturdy than the IKEA version

Now we just need to figure out if Target's is sturdier than Stacks'.. ;-)

My IKEA stools like this have seen hard use for 5 years as my dining chairs. They are in great condition except that the finish on the sitting surface is wearing a bit. My 3 year old even bangs them around and plays with them in ways that were not intended in the design. The legs are quite light so they are a bit top-heavy. I think they are bentwood, if I understand that term. I love how visually light they are.