Amysrq - Did you ever get the Ballard's bench?

14 years ago

I was thinking of you this past weekend. I was at the Ballard's outlet store outside of Cincinnati, OH and they had several of those benches you were lusting over.

A couple black ones and the green one. They were very nice.

Do you have an outlet store nearby by chance? I'm not sure where you are, but thought I'd throw it out there to you in case you know someone in the area!

I think it was $449? But they were having 20% off for a sale and some furniture items were 30% off.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
This is something new - why in my above post are the words benches and furniture showing a hyperlink to a Bing site?
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
OK, I'm a dork - it was Jan in Wisconsin lusting after the Ballard's bench - sorry Amy!

I guess I answered my question - Wisconsin isn't all that close to Cincy!
Related Discussions
Did you ever wonder what that 4' pot you were about to buy....
Q
Comments (23)
Billy Rae, they grow wherever they can, LOL. I started collecting plants seriously when I lived in Los Angeles between the years of 1985 and 1992. I was able to bring a few here to Florida when we moved here in the summer of 1992. The house we moved into initially and lived in for 11 years was a 1920's Historic Home that had a 240 sq ft sunroom, what is called here a "Florida Room". Almost every house built between 1890-1930's has a Florida Room, which is basically a large screened porch where people would sleep in summer because it was cooler there and there was no air conditioning. The people who we bought the house from had glassed in the screen portions with 8x8 plate glass windows and it was climate controlled. The room had a tiled floor with a drain in the floor and an indoor hose spigot so in the old days they would just wash the sand that blew through the screen out via the floor drain. Of course I immediately started collecting plants once here, LOL and ammassed a huge collection very quickly of orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, and many others that could not stay outdoors in winter and had to be drug into the house and into the Florida Room. We outgrew that house, and in 2002 we moved out to the "country" to a 5 acre property and I was able to build this greenhouse. The Florida Room we have here is very small and gets poor light, but I do keep some houseplants in there year round. Everything else that would have had to be a houseplant, or and "in and out" plant, became a greenhouse plant. I didn't want the artificiality of benches and shelves, the plants that I had did not lend themselves to that anyway, I had 30+ gallon tubs of 15-16 ft tall heliconias and ultratropical gingers that needed to be planted. SO I decided to use the greenhouse in the style of a botanical garden tropical conservatory. It is in its 6th year and I tinker with it constantly. I have collected shells, driftwood, rocks, and all sorts of stuff to use to make it look like a natural setting. I have planted everything I can, mounted as many of the orchids and bromeliads as I can, and tried to minimize the use of containers, but there are still a lot of containers, especially hanging ones, because floorspace is, well, gone now. I can only plant new stuff if I remove other stuff. So I Have had to be creative. I wanted water in there so I have a 20 ft stream and a pond, and am building a drop fall/fountain that goes into a stone basin now. Here are a couple more photos...a prime example of why I can't keep some of this stuff in my house (and its not hardy here)...this is a rare palm called a Salacca magnifica. It is heavily armed...the undersides of the leaves have large rigid spines. Its what is called an "entire leaf" palm...there is basicaly no trunk. The leaves at present time are approaching 10 ft in length, at maturity a single leaf can be 20 ft tall/long. I have only had this palm for a little over 2 years, it is very fast growing. It would be way too dangerous in the house, and I would not be able to move it. So I had to plant it! This is another example...this is a photo from last year about this time when the Jade Vine was in bloom. This is a very highly sought after rare Tropical liana, Strongylodon macrobotrys. Tons of people want this vine, and are willing to spend $50-100 for a plant, thinking that they will be able to keep it in a pot on a trellis and bring it in the house in the winter. But in reality, that can't be done. This vine is a tropical creeper, its name in Phillipines where it comes from is Emerald Creeper. It will engulf everything in its path (I have to prune mine constantly) and won;t bloom until it gets a big woody trunk (usually 3 years after planting). I got mine as a trade when I still lived at the old house, and would never have been able to see it bloom like this as a houseplant: I don't look at my greenhouse as separate from my house. My original dream was to build this kind of place ONTO the house, where you would just open a door and step from the house into the greenhouse, and they would be continuous. We tried to figure out a way to do that when we moved here, but the renovation would have cost over $100,000. It just wasn't doable. So, I consider this my "second Florida Room". I just have to walk a few steps down the driveway, not out a door, LOL.
...See More
Where did you get your island stools ?
Q
Comments (38)
Hi, Jessie - The measurements for the LNT stools are: Seat - 9 x 17 1/2; Legs (widest part) - 14 1/2 x 17. If these are too big for you, there are similar ones at Ballard that are smaller and more squarish. I have linked those below. Well, thanks for asking about my RH Brightwood pendants. They are hung and look great, but they still don't have shades. You remember that I had gotten enclosed bell shades from Schoolhouse Electric in the 2.25 fitter size? (I wanted the enclosed shades because I was worried about the glare from exposed bulbs, since I was hanging them high above the table. RH doesn't have enclosed shades that small.) Trying to be environmentally conscious, I ordered the fixtures with the GU24 socket and 24W bulb, but did not think it through or do my research. As it turns out, I have yet to find a GU24 bulb that fits into the shade. (In fact, you have to go down to an 18W to even get a shade that will fit into a 2.25 GU24 socket, never mind the shade. RH is changing their site to not allow you to select GU24 in 2.25 fitter size with a 24W bulb.) I understand there are 13W and 9W bulbs out there, but I hate to order them without knowing the dimensions because they have mercury in them and are difficult to dispose of if they don't work, and with shipping returning them is a hassle and expensive. And these bulbs are so new that I am not finding them IRL. Plus, I am now also reading that the bulbs may not be safe with an enclosed shade! Anyway, I will keep you posted... Here is a link that might be useful: Ballard Stool
...See More
amysrq - ot
Q
Comments (20)
Amy, I own a home decor store in N. IL. Color is always a key element in the conversations I have with customers. The biggest fear I hear about is the paint! It seems so overwhelming and permanent to them. I have the BM and Behr chips in the showroom and they are usually referenced when fabric or rugs are chosen. I would love to have a go-to person to help my customers. I could (and have!) helped with paint choices, but there are other areas I am better at and would rather focus on. Like helping with the furnishings... Not sure what the demand would be in my area for a color expert, I am not a high end store. I start at 99 cents :) and can go up to $1,000 or so for a sofa or area rug. Love your before and after pics. What an eye!
...See More
Have we Ever Pushed you off a Cliff? How Far Did You Fall?
Q
Comments (28)
"If anything I find my tastes are influenced negatively here, not in a bad way really, just differently. I love funky bohemian combined with traditional and modern but don't feel that love from most posters so sometimes I second guess myself. There are some canvas prints at Pier One I am crazy about yet they are cheap. Will I hate them because they look cheap? ($30 each btw) Will they make my decor seem too wild? Cheap? As an artist, most other artists abhor this kind of thing and usually are quite snobbish about having only originals in their house. They would not buy a cheap print from Pier One! So, can I over come this pressure and the pressure here (subtle however) and actually get what I love? I do not like the vast majority of art people choose for their home so I would never ask anyone here "what do you think of this print?" I'm rambling but I guess it's all about keeping myself true to me." Bumblebeez, I feel your pain, really I do. :) Something that would truly *speak* to me, would be a gliclee of Monet's Sunrise. It was a work that was derided by critics in its time and I had the opportunity to see it in the Monet Museum in Paris. It would have much more meaning to me, and to my husband, than something I bought off of Etsy or Ebay. At least you, as an artist, have the pedigree be able to get away with buying what you want (not that you should have to make excuses). It's the same way about furniture. If it's not heirloom or CL, there will always be detractors. I just try to suck it up and decorate to the best of my abilities.
...See More
4boys2
14 years ago
caroleoh...Here's a link to the new advertising

Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/suggest/msg0211203624832.html
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
Oh, Caroleoh, yes, I am the one who was lusting over the Ballard's benches - specifically, the black Levanto 3-seat bench with back. Only white and green are available at the site, and they're on sale for $399.99 now.

I would drive to an outlet. I wonder how I could find out where their outlets are.

I still want that one, and I'm holding out hope I'll be able to get my hands on it somehow. :o)

Jan
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
Jan, they had two or three of the black ones with the side and back railings...I'd call them! Maybe you could get a shipping place to pick it up and ship it for you.

Check the Ballard's website for the phone number. It's the West Chester location.

How far are you from Cincy? 70 East to 75 South!!
4boys2
14 years ago
Looks like the closes to you is Ohio...Call the stores listed maybe they'll ship...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.ballarddesigns.com/About-Us/Contacting-Ballard/Store-Locator/c/543
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
Ballard Designs Outlet - West Chester, Ohio

During your next visit to the Cincinnati area, stop by our store! Ballard Designs Outlet offers selected overstocks, samples, and customer returns at prices discounted 10-80% from the catalog, as well as select new items featured in our current catalogs. Come in and take advantage of our weekly sales and continually changing selection.

Please note that the store is not a showroom for the Ballard Designs catalog and, therefore, does not sell or display all of the products sold in the catalog. Items are also not available for sale over the phone or Internet, and orders cannot be shipped.
Store Hours and Information

Hours:

Monday ÂSaturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location:

8939 Union Centre Boulevard
West Chester, OH 45069

Phone:

513-603-1333
Driving Directions

Directions: From I-75, take the Union Centre Boulevard exit (Exit 19), then drive west on Union Centre for approximately one mile. Turn left on West Chester Road. The building, marked Frontgate Outlet Center, will be on your immediate right. Turn in at the second driveway; parking is located in front of the main entrance.
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
caroleoh, wow! thanks so much . . . I will be calling them tomorrow. I sure hope they'll ship. I'm probably a day's drive away since I live north of Green Bay. :o(

Jan
mythreesonsnc
14 years ago
I have found items at the Frontgate and Ballard Design outlet (by calling - I live in NC). They have given me the contact information for e-bay shoppers that are constantly in the Cincinnati stores (they are in the same building). I have never actually ended up purchasing anything, but maybe one of them could post the bench on ebay and you could purchase it? Just an idea if you are really desperate...
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
I know the West Chester store doesn't ship, but what I was thinking was if you found a Cincy area shipping company that would go to the store and pick it up and ship it to you. yes, you'd pay for this service, but if the store has their sale still going on, the additional discount might cover the cost of paying and coordinating someone to go get it and ship it to you.

Another thought I had was if you go to the Ballard's website and go to the bottom and click on "retail" you'll see some shops in Georgia that are not outlets. You might try calling those stores and see if they have the bench. They may be willing to ship it to you from their store.

I feel bad - I was right there! But, I didn't have a car/SUV big enough to haul it home, and I figured you had already found a different option! I will tell you it was very heavy and sturdy. Not to make you lust after it any more, but it did look like a nice piece.
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
Okay, so I actually checked out the drive, and depressingly, it's over 500 miles to West Chester, Ohio from my home - bummer! And, I looked at the Georgia retail store, and it states right on the website that they will not take phone or internet orders and that they don't ship. Why the heck not?!!

I'm not sure how to go about getting a shipping company. Any thoughts on that? I will probably call the stores anyway, as it can't hurt to ask.

Jan
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
14 years ago
Jan, this is OT, but I was born in Marinette. Parents lived in Oconto Falls and Gillett when dad was out there for a couple years with Scott Paper.

I hope you can figure out a way to get the bench! Hey, 500 miles makes for a nice weekend road trip, but maybe not this time of year, I guess.
amysrq
14 years ago
Hey....just waving from the sidelines! :-)
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
cyn427 - Small world, as that's just where I am. I love it here, even if the bench is far away - lol. :o)
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
Jan,

Did you call Ballard's today?
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
I called the West Chester store, but they cannot ship or take phone orders, and they are not aware of any other way to handle the transaction. Plus, she thinks they only have one left. :o(

Bummer!!!
corgimum
14 years ago
Jan- I live in West Chester, Ohio. If I can help you get this bench, let me know via e-mail.
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
corgimum,

I sent you an e-mail. Thanks!!!

Jan
vampiressrn
14 years ago
You go girls!!! I sure want to see that black bench in Jan's home. I am way out in California so can't help...sorry.
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
Okay, so my GardenWeb friend, corgimum, checked out the Ballard outlet in West Chester, and she found my coveted bench there - in black . . . sigh. And, while it is shrink wrapped, it is not boxed.

corgimum even found me the name of a shipper, and I called, but they are only open on weekdays. corgimum - a huge thank you to you! I'm so fortunate that you checked this out, or I would have given up long ago.

So, I called the store to see about making arrangements for a shipper and told them my story and situation. They gave me the name of an errand service in town that makes purchases and ships. So I called that number, and we soon determined that the bench was bigger than what FedEx will allow and would require a different shipping company. She also doesn't do packaging, but would take it somewhere for a price of $25 per hour.

I then searched for other pack-and-ship locations around the West Chester area, and I found one that is open today. The gentleman was very nice and said they could pick up the package, box it, and ship it. It will cost quite a bit, but the bench is on sale at the outlet for several hundred dollars less than its usual price.

So, I'm in the process of making the arrangements. Ballard will hold the bench for me for a couple of days. The biggest hitch now is that the Ballard store requires the credit/debit card used for the purchase to be that of the person making the purchase. So, somehow the shipping company needs to pre-charge my card for the amount, etc. I'm still a bit afraid to get my hopes up. I'm not sure that will all go smoothly.

In the end, I'm sure this will all be worth it, right guys? Only you would understand my plight. :o)

I'll keep you posted.

Jan
CaroleOH
Original Author
14 years ago
Jan, I'm so glad this all worked out. I knew that where there's a will there's a way!!

I'm just glad I was thinking of it the other day when I got online and posted about seeing it. I hope it all works out.
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
The shipping is going to cost as much as the bench itself, but since the bench is on sale (even better than on sale at the outlet), I'll end up paying about what the full price would have been with shipping. I'm out around $150 when all is said and done because I didn't buy it in December like I should have. But, because it's the perfect bench, I'm okay with that - lesson learned. Thanks again, caroleoh, and you'll have to check back when I get it and post some pictures, okay? Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Jan
saltnpeppa
14 years ago
Yeah! Jan! Can't wait to see it in your gorgeous home.

Behind the scenes, there is alot of help and generosity on this board, also!!

Even thou, I don't get to post as often as I would like to (time) - I read often & feel like ya'll are my friends (awwwww). I often think how I would love to meet in person.

Smiles:)
moonshadow
14 years ago
Behind the scenes, there is alot of help and generosity on this board, also!!

Having been on the receiving end of aforementioned behind the scenes help and generosity, I wholeheartedly agree!

What great peeps we have here to call friends and enable us with our obsessions. ;D

Good luck, Jan!
jan_in_wisconsin
14 years ago
Yes, there is a ton of behind-the-scenes help and generosity. I have said it many times before, but I LOVE this place. Thanks to all, and if there's a way to have local GardenWeb meetups, count me in!

Jan
corgimum
14 years ago
Maybe ya'll should schedule a meetup at the Frongate/Ballard outlet in West Chester, Ohio:) We also have an Ikea just down the street!

Amysrq - Did you ever get the Ballard's bench?

Comments (26)

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

Related Discussions

4boys2

jan_in_wisconsin

CaroleOH
Original Author

4boys2

CaroleOH
Original Author

jan_in_wisconsin

mythreesonsnc

CaroleOH
Original Author

jan_in_wisconsin

cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)

amysrq

jan_in_wisconsin

CaroleOH
Original Author

jan_in_wisconsin

corgimum

jan_in_wisconsin

vampiressrn

jan_in_wisconsin

CaroleOH
Original Author

jan_in_wisconsin

saltnpeppa

moonshadow

jan_in_wisconsin

corgimum

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Amysrq - Did you ever get the Ballard's bench?

Comments (26)

CaroleOHOriginal Author

CaroleOHOriginal Author

Related Discussions

CaroleOHOriginal Author

CaroleOHOriginal Author

CaroleOHOriginal Author

CaroleOHOriginal Author

CaroleOHOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author

CaroleOH
Original Author