I am constantly surprised by the quality pieces Target offers. The only "X factors" involved with the Target chaise would be the pillows' thickness and whether the teal color is as faded as the picture. Their photo resolutions tend to be rather poor.

You can see one difference right away: the pattern is matched up carefully so that it aligns from the base to the cushion on the Pottery Barn piece; not so, the Target! But if that doesn't bother you...

You can see one difference right away: the pattern is carefully aligned to continue from the base to the cushion on the Pottery Barn version; not so on the Target! But if that doesn't bother you ...

"and why is still so freaking expensive?"

The PB settee is made in the USA -
- I wonder where the Target settee comes from?

Based on the Target furniture that I've had a chance to sit in, their stuffing and foam materials are subpar to those used at PB. I considered purchasing 2 upholstered pieces from Target, but they were not comfortable at all.

I'm guessing the price differential may be owing to the name branc cache of PB (at least for furniture), as well as a better quality fabric for the upholstery.

With regard to upholstery fabric, it used to be something I never thought about when I purchased furniture. If loved the lines, loved the fabric color, then sold!

However, after buying my first wool upholstered seating (Modernica's Nelson daybed), I just can't go back to anything like twill.

I can't agree. While I am not usually a fan of PB furniture, the PB bench looks so much better. Night and day in my opinion.

I have to agree with Torgny. The PB bench is has nice lines. The Target bench is dumpy.

I look forward to a level of blog success when interior bloggers don't consider Pottery Barn to be a high-end retailer...

This also isn't at ALL a fair comparison, at least in the context of the story... what was the PB *outlet* price?

I bought that exact PB bench from the PB outlet in Lake Elsinor. It was cheaper than the Target bench (and I think looks a LOT nicer.) PB outlet usually has it at 50% off but after Christmas, they have an additional 50% off the entire store and it was only about $300.

Not to go all Amanda Priestly, but to my eye these two pieces are not very similar at all, so it's hard to imagine a scenario where they would be interchangeable. Tapered legs with stretcher vs. screwed on block feet. Narrow apron vs. deep apron. High straight arms vs. low angled arms. Pattern-matched welted seat cushion vs. unmatched non-symmetrical pattern all over. No side cushions vs. side cushions. Complex, crisp, vertical ikat print vs. simple, muted, horizontal ikat print.

About the only thing similar about them is the concept of an ikat upholstered bench.

Manufacture in the US is NOT enough to justify a price tag of $1,164. In fact, it is inflated prices like this on US goods that drive so many to buy the cheaper, Chinese-made alternative.
There are so few options for American goods that fall in a reasonable price range, and it most definitely CAN be done.
That said, the Target piece looks cheap and somewhat dated, though I am indeed judging from a tiny photo :)

I have to disagree, chris. paying fair wages, providing healthcare plans, and complying by comparatively strict environmental regulations, for example, drive costs up quite a bit, (even if they still are overpriced beyond that). unfortunately, when compared to the abundance of cheap, foreign products, pretty much anything else seems expensive.

and yes, these two aren't really interchangeable. but the target version would certainly be a good option for those on a budget.

I am not in love with either, but for those who do like the Target version, it appears that Urban Outfitters is selling a slipper chair in the same upholstery - $325, here.

Target's in store furniture is really sub-par in terms of quality. But it seems they get nicer stuff for their online store. I've seen several items, same items/brands sold at other online design stores for more (not a lot more....but obviously Target must be working a competitive deal with the manufacturers/distributors).

It's like shopping at Ikea. Just need to be careful what you choose and you're fine. I wish there were floor samples of the nicer things that Target has online at the stores, so we could see and feel them live. sniff.

Target is good when it does contemporary things, but cheap traditional always looks cheap.

Apples and oranges ... these two pieces of furniture do not compare. I went to PB's Website, and didn't find this chaise, but another one of their upholstered chaises is made with a kiln dried, hardwood frame, corner blocked, and with double-dowel joinery. Tear open the Target piece, and you will likely find glued, composite wood product, cheap foam, and heaven knows what else. You get what you pay for in upholstered furniture. As a few others pointed out, the upholstery on the PB piece is carefully placed, which means nearly twice the fabric that you see is needed to complete the job.

I see Target promoted here an awful lot, and I do like Target...but I suspect advertising...

OK, I think a lot depends on the goal here. If you want a bench for the end of a bed, for example, and the only use that will be made of it apart from decoration, is to put on your shoes in the morning, then comfort is less important. (And the upholstery of either bendh is subect to change or to slip covering, after all...)

If the piece is a focal piece in the living room or dining table and seating that will be used frequently and for extended periods of time, then comfort is more crucial.

I agree that the PB bench lines are much nicer (at least to my style) but the Target bench isn't that bad... and if you lose the pillows the styles are more similar.

I am a huge proponent of doing without for a while, and saving for a nicer piece of furniture.

In my personal experience, Target is lacking quality in their furniture selection.