LOL! Sueb20, the Ballard catalog is one of my all time favorites....for inspiration! I always leaf through it, then I'll try to find similar items elsewhere for much, much less money.

I don't know if I've ever found the exact item, though!

Sounds like Art.com. They sell stretched canvas for $250 that I've seen at Target for $49.

I saw that one at Target the other day, but it looked much smaller than Ballard's. But still, that's a huge price difference.

Right now I'm loving the sunflower botanical prints they have. There's two coordinating ones and they're like $299 a piece - $399 for both!!

My son has a hockey tournament next weekend in Cincinnati and there's a Ballard's outlet there so I'm going to go and see if I can find a print there. I have heard that Ballard sends it's returns to their outlet store.

I saw that print in Ballard's and thought of it for our cottage! Was at Target Tues. night shopping w/ DD for new grandbaby (GB?) so I didn't really get to that area, but thought I spied a similar "Cherry" print that I'd seen in Ballard's. I'm going to try to get out tomorrow to check to see if they're carrying this one.

Years ago I was given a beautiful decorative ceramic lemonade pitcher w/ matching glasses. I've never set them out, but they'd look great this summer on my sideboard with this print hanging above! Thanks for the heads up!

Target has come a long way. Especially their online store where even the furniture is great.

Home Goods has a very large print that is identical.

I checked the Target website for fun, and found out that online the print is $49.99- is it cheaper in the store? Also, the Target print is 24x24, whereas the Ballard one is 36x36. Not sure, but the Target one is canvas on the front, and then cardboard backing, and is laminated. The Ballard one doesn't say specifically, but says itis a gallery-wrapped canvas with a crackle glaze.

Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with the Target version - I am confident that it is the one I would buy. But I don't think that the comparison is exact, based on the web descriptions. I know the prints like that are everywhere right now - I have seen some in a couple of other catalogues that I get.

Caroleoh, Didn't know that store existed. Thanks for the tip!

It's too bad Target doesn't sell cars. I'd love to get a new Fusion for, say, $7,500.

Oakley- I agree, I think their furniture is great too, I got my kitchen barstools from there, they look like pottery barn but for 1/4th the price!

On a similar note, I saw some wrought iron accessories at Hobby Lobby this week that were very similar to Ballards (eiffel tower, paper towel holder, etc) for a small fraction of Ballard's price. Love to look at Ballard catalog for ideas!

Also, if you have a Gordman's nearby, they always have a selection of Rodney White prints in various sizes - more $ than Target but less $ than Ballard - big difference in quality though.

Check out the HSN site, they may have it there - they own Ballard Design.

sueb....
How hilarious....my brother bought that exact canvas at Home Goods for $29.95.
Once my brother realized how easy they are to make, he made 5 other prints and they came out fabulous. Of course, he has a large format printer and he is very talented!

Ballard Design at West Chester if you call they can tell you if they have the picture,if you hadn't been to the outlet Ballard sister companies are also there.. the new IKEA is at the same exit...
Last thing I do know that Home Good did carry Rodney White in that size, sorry I don't remember the price

That lemonade print is everywhere now! I'm sure I saw it at Target but also maybe World Market, too? Could've also been a HomeGoods/Marshalls store. Ballard was the first to carry it, I think.

Ooh, Caroloh, thanks for the info regarding the Ballard's outlet in Cincy. I'm originally from that area, but now live in Virginia. The next time I go back "home," I'm going to look up that Ballard's outlet.

I'm pretty sure I saw it at a Home Goods store last weekend.

I once found the EXACT same canisters at K-Mart that I had just bought at JC Penney's 3 days before. The box was a little different, but the canisters were the same, KM price was $17, JCP was $50. Yes, I did....I emptied those suckers out (I had only put sugar & flour) cleaned them up, boxed and returned them and got the ones from KM.

This was from a few yrs back:

Suit says Target products look suspiciously like Pottery Barn's

Parent company Williams-Sonoma alleges copyright infringement.

By Chris Serres and Karen Lundegaard, Star Tribune

Last update: December 15, 2006 - 11:08 PM

One of the nation's trendiest home furnishings retailers has accused Target Corp. of systematically copying its designs on a range of products, from Christmas stockings to votive candle holders.

The lawsuit, filed by Williams-Sonoma Inc., suggests that Target hides behind its vendors, insisting they indemnify the corporation from such lawsuits, at the same time it specifies precisely what products look like.

Copyright infringement lawsuits among retailers and designers have become more frequent in recent years as competition for the shopper's wallet intensifies and mainstream retailers attempt to up their style quotient. Many of these lawsuits are dismissed or quietly settled.

Williams-Sonoma, which operates Pottery Barn and other chains, claims in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday that a quilted Christmas stocking sold at Target stores contains "every distinctive element of the Pottery Barn Christmas stockings," right down to the snowflakes and blue sky.

More pointedly, the company says the stocking infringement is part of a "longstanding pattern of copying by Target of [Williams-Sonoma] designs for rugs, linens, tableware, furniture, lamps and other products."

The lawsuit is one of several filed in the past year accusing the Minneapolis-based discounter of copyright and trademark infringements. In October, Lucky Brand Dungarees, which sells $100-plus jeans worn by the likes of Salma Hayek and Sandra Bullock, filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York, accusing Target of copying its distinctive floral-design jeans and its rear-pocket stitching.

In a response filed Friday, Target and its vendor denied the accusations, saying the Lucky Brand floral pattern "represents a mere trivial variation" of public designs and is not copyrightable. It said that use of any embroidered floral pattern or pocket stitching "was done with innocent intent" and without knowledge that it "constituted an infringement of copyright."

And Vera Bradley, a supplier of high-end handbags, tableware and rugs, a year ago sued Target for allegedly selling skirts and swimwear with designs that looked "substantially similar" to cloth designs copyrighted by Vera Bradley.

A week ago, Target and Vera Bradley "compromised and resolved" its dispute, according to a court filing. No details were given.

Target spokeswoman Amy von Walter declined to discuss the copyright-infringement allegations made by Williams-Sonoma and other companies.

'A little bit' too distinctive

George Whalin, chief executive of Retail Management Consultants in San Marcos, Calif., said the lawsuits are happening too frequently for the resemblances to be accidental.

"There appears to be an attempt by Target to copy designs a little bit," he said. "But that little bit is too distinctive. You can't copy an innovative retailer like Williams-Sonoma just a little bit."

There has been growing friction among brand owners and large retailers over intellectual property rights. In September, Coach sued Target for allegedly selling counterfeit handbags, which Target claimed it had purchased at a department store liquidation sale. Coach moved to have the lawsuit dismissed the next month. Fendi filed a similar lawsuit against Wal-Mart for allegedly selling counterfeit purses at Sam's Club. Anthropologie Inc., a chain of women's clothing stores, last year accused Wal-Mart of selling skirts with fabric and color schemes that are identical or nearly identical to those sold at Anthropologie stores.

Target has made a name for itself as the place to buy trendy designs -- or "cheap chic." It has partnered with high-end designers, including Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Graves, to sell lines of their products within its stores.

Stan Pohmer, a Minneapolis retail consultant and a senior buyer at Target from 1983 to 1996, said many of the lawsuits are frivolous and are part of an attempt by retailers to protect their brands.

"When I was at Target, we were very conscious of others' trademarks and copyrights and did the homework to ensure we were not in violation," Pohmer said.

Referred to vendors

Williams-Sonoma said it confronted Target about the holiday decorations but was referred to the company's vendors, "who purportedly had agreed to indemnify Target," according to the lawsuit. Williams-Sonoma believes "Target has extracted these indemnity agreements from its vendors as a condition of doing business with Target, even though its vendors have little say in the product specifications that Target has required," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit states Williams-Sonoma settled with vendors regarding two products -- a spiral votive candle holder and a reindeer sculpture -- receiving payments and promises that sales would cease. The vendors are not identified, and Target declined to comment. The attorney for Williams-Sonoma referred questions to the company, and a spokeswoman did not return repeated calls Thursday and Friday.

Williams-Sonoma hasn't reached a settlement regarding another product -- its "Scary Tree" Halloween votive candle holder. Target began selling its own Halloween tree votive holder in 2004. Target even posted "testimonials on its website from a consumer to the effect that her friends had been confused by the Target votive holder and were unable to distinguish it from the more expensive holder available at Pottery Barn," according to the suit.

Williams-Sonoma has asked the U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., to order Target to stop selling the stockings and to pay Williams-Sonoma any damages and lost profits resulting from the alleged infringement. Target began selling its stocking this year; Williams-Sonoma sold more than $5 million worth of the stockings at Pottery Barn stores between 2002 and 2005.

Chris Serres cserres@startribune.com Karen Lundegaard  klundegaard@startribune.com

I bought that same print from Gordmans last fall. It was $80 after one of their great 20% coupons, which arrive every mo. Mine is 36X36 with a great double frame, a canvas copy. They still have a number of these and other prints from the artist. They are quite large.

Rodney White is now all over the place. Would really like to see his originals, the concept/medium is definitely catching.

At World Market yesterday and they had a sale on "framed prints". The same print was $129, 24X24, unframed wrapped canvas. Guess they call it framed when the edges are painted black.

On a side note, although I really like the one I have, hate it when something becomes the norm like this and now part of major marketing. Good for the artist, but now not as uinique. Even when buying at art stores this is happening once the artist becomes well known. It won't surprise me if his prints are in a calendar by next fall.

Do shop around for other prices. As many said above, the options are quite large for savings. And yes, I'd buy it again.

Check out Art.com theres alot of Rodney white art on there including the one that the OP liked, I also see his art at Kirklands

I was in Target yesterday and they were having a big clearance of home furnishings and décor. I had not even noticed when those items appeared in the store, so I think they move them out quickly. I took a quick look at some of the furniture but was wondering about quality and durability.

FWIW, a lot of art fair artists are selling stretched canvas prints now, both photographers and painters. (You know how most painters have both originals and offset reproductions of those in their booths). The printing on canvas technology has come down in cost recently enabling individual artists, not just large manufacturers, to be able to print their works on canvas. Its called a "gallery wrap" when there is no separate frame and the canvas is stretched all the way to the back so staples are not visible. I have a friend who is a photographer who has gone completely to this way of printing as it is so popular; no more glass or matting, or worrying if the frame will match decor to deal with. Its also less expensive (after initial equipment outlay) allowing them to pass on the cost savings and make more sales. She also sells her work online at a 2D art dealer and they said the gallery wraps are the fastest selling category they have going, regardless of subject. You could visit an art fair and get something so wont see everywhere, and know it wont be in Target tomorrow.

We purchased two tall bookcases from Target a few years back because the style and size were perfect with our entertainment armoire. We paid roughly $200 for each unit and I had to assemble them myself, which was no biggie because in addition to using the tools supplied, I also strengthened them by using carpenter's glue. They are extremely well made and finished and I have seen similar units for 2-3 times more. The shelves actually hold a good amount of weight (they're guaranteed for 25 lbs., which is alot), and are very sturdy.
I love browsing through Ballard's catalog, but I find them overpriced on many items.

mrsmary, about 4 years ago I gave my son and his wife a really nice bookshelf from Target that they had on their register. I knew no one would buy it for them, so I did. The other day when I was at their house, I saw the bookshelf and temporarily forgot that it was me who bought it, and I couldn't help but notice how BEAUTIFUL the piece was and wondered where they got it! lol.

About Vera Bradley. GMAB. I am a VB purse carrier, I love her purses. But people have been making quilted purses forever, including myself. I stopped making them years ago, so now I buy them from VB, along with totes, etc. And there are many stores which sells quilted purses and have been for ages.

Sorry to hijack. I was at the Ballard outlet store over Thanksgiving. I'd be interested to hear your impressions when you go. Even if you don't buy anything it is nice to get an idea of the Ballard quality. They also have a Frontgate outlet store in the same complex! I'm sorry I didn't have enough time to hit IKEA too.

Tre3,

I have been to the outlet one other time. I found nothing there that was what I wanted at the time, it is sortof hit or miss I think. Many of the items were still fairly expensive, but if you have your heart set on something it is still cheaper than the catalog.

The other thing I learned was if you order via the catalog and want to return it, you can return it to the outlet store which is nice if it's a large item and you don't want to pay the return shipping.

Guess I'm going to have to look at Target. Think they copy Pier 1 stuff? I saw this print in store during 75% off sale but unfortunately it wasn't on sale.

http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/Products/tabid/260/Default.aspx?task=viewproduct&id=1937&urlname=tranquil-wall-art

I picked up another Rodney White print on canvas ("Life Is Always In Progress" - red, green, yellow & brown w/ a rooster) at Home Goods about six weeks ago for $69. Got my Napa Style catalog a few days later and saw the exact same thing - same size, same everything - for $299! Just goes to show you that some of these companies are making outrageous margins on this stuff - and that it pays to shop places like HG and Target.

http://www.worldmarket.com/lev/4/productId/7200/mybuyscid/3022843856/index.pro

Interesting. I was looking at accent tables online at Target earlier today. Just a few minutes ago I looked at accent tables at Touch of Class. Same table, but Target was $20.00 cheaper.

This isn't a case of copying, it's the manufacturer selling at both stores, but Target sells them for less. I'll be shopping at Target. :)

Hmm. I know that the quality of things I've bought from Williams Sonoma and Target are not comparable. Target and others are copying but not producing the same quality in my experience.

Be careful folks. You may think you are getting the same thing but don't bank on it. I have tableclothes and other linens I purchased from Williams Sonoma years ago that look as good as new. Target and other low end retailers stuff is in the rag bin.

I don't want the mid-range retailers to "dumb down' their merchandise in order to compete with Target and Walmart. I'm willing to pay a bit more for quality and if you can afford it you should be too. If you don't we'll end up with no choice and have to buy crap that has to be replaced every few years.