OMG it's happening. I said to my DH just this past fall: "Mark my words. Color is the new neutral."

Nikki, last night I went to the PB website but I didn't notice anything different. Keep in mind I rarely go to PB so I really don't know what to compare what I saw last night to what they had in the past.

Could you or someone one else explain what their "new look" is? Do you have pictures to post from their catalogue? I don't get their catalogue.

thanks, Sky

I just received the new PB catalog today. Personally, I don't care for its "new look." Strikes me as sort of "upscale dorm." Plus, I've been pretty unhappy with PB case goods. We bought the Sonoma media armoire a few years ago and it's basically just crap--not even real wood--probably made in some sweat shop overseas. Or, at least, that's my impression. I won't buy from them again.

skypathway: Just lots of loud colors and painted distressed furniture. IMO.

Thanks Organic - now I see all the new colors LOL I don't know if it's "upscale dorm" but it sure is not traditional.

Sky

The bedding is gorgeous.....IF YOU"RE TWELVE! Yuck!

And the dishes...e gads. Otherwise the furniture didn't look too different.

I've purchased some items from PB and can't say I've been displeased. I do look carefully at descriptions before ordering. If you read the fine print they do tell you what it's made of. I paid a great deal more than I would have at PB for a platform bed at a high end furniture store that I hate. Thank god I have another place to put it (rental). But now I have to build a freaking platform for the platform. I would have been better with the PB bed in the first place.

I think anytime you buy "a room" from anyone it looks a bit...well boring :) But they do have pieces that work for me on occasion.

Soon to be duplicated at a Target near you ;)

Everyone has bought all the black Pottery Barn and there was so much left in stock, and marketing being what it is, they were looking at a more Swedish or Danish color palette and well, it's the same furniture, they just painted it pastel.

Having just completed compiling an extensive internet resource list for modern accessories and furniture, I can attest to the fact that these colors/designs are not exclusive to PB.

Modern, retro, 1960's patterns are showing up everywhere. From lamps, linens to dinnerware, the modern style is bold, bright and often funky in style. Looks to me like PB is just keeping up with the trend. Painted furniture on the other hand is nothing new...

And fly, you're right, color is the name of the game, and...

it's already at Target!

Target {{!gwi}}PB{{!gwi}}

Placemats

Target {{!gwi}} PB {{!gwi}}

bbcjohn--do you or your wife work for PB by chance?

tryin2grow I love you comments and especially when you placed Target pictures next to PB's. LOL I actually like some of this stuff - in small doses it adds a touch of fun to your table. Too much makes me dizzy.

Recently I was reading a trade journal - don't know why but it came up in a search I was doing - about the health of Pottery Barn, or rather the poor health of PB. They were suggesting that many PB should be changed over to their West Elm version as that division was doing business heads and tails over the PB. West Elm looks clean and fresh in the catalogue or online pictures, but IRL I was so disappointed in the quality of the furniture. For that price you're better off paying less at Ikea for similar stuff. WE accessories are cute and can add a nice spark to an otherwise traditional or transitional decor.

Sky

It's not just PB look,in fact I think PB is down playing it compared to other stores.It's a new trend in color & shape combos in paints and fabrics for 2008. I'm not a fan and won't be changing anything soon. Hopefully this will be short lived, I think most of it is hidious.

It is *the* look.

The description for these salad servers used the word "groovy." It's 1960 - 1970 all over again.

From Chiasso.com

{{!gwi}} toaster {{!gwi}}

and look how closely this Marimekko's fabric is to what PB is now showing...

{{!gwi}}

There's also a strong influence of organic designs both on bedding and wallpapers on the modern sites.

OMG it's happening. I said to my DH just this past fall: "Mark my words. Color is the new neutral."

I just told a friend that white is the new beige - LOL!

It's probably all the new drugs mixed with all the old drugs that are causing these designers to come up with some of this. :)

I thought the graphic florals and the organics were already here, not new.

I looked through the PB site, the classics are still there.

Based on the comments here, I went to the web site (don't have the catalog) thinking that there would be nothing that would look good in my log home. I was wrong! All the time I spent looking for end tables, when I could have just gone out back to the wood shed:

{{!gwi}}

Let's see...we recently had four huge trees taken down for about $300...each would have yielded 20-30 of these tables...add in the cost of some sandpaper...

Seriously though, I did see plenty of items that I would buy. Not the lime green dog bed though. :)

tryin2grow - those toasters are so cute. Would you mind sharing some of those neat sources you found for modern furniture and accessories? I'm updating my whole house and I've been looking for interesting accents and ideas. If you don't want to post them here, would you mind emailing them to me? My email is skylarhailey at yahoo.

I checked out Chiasso and saw some fun stuff and also some things that I've recently purchased from other sources.

BTW, an aside, I've always enjoyed your info about rugs, you've always been very generous with your extensive knowledge.

Thanks,

sky

A little much for me. Are they bringing back tie-dye too?

it's already at Target!

uh... isn't it all shipped out of the same factory in China?

I admit, I enjoy looking through PB catalogs for inspiration. And I have loved Marimekko since the poppy pattern first came out (I'm old).

Tryin2grow, thanks for posting the Target next to Pottery Barn pictures. For anyone who hasn't noticed already, those pictures make it all so very clear. Same goes for the furniture. Exact same materials and workmanship, very similar designs, expensive at Pottery Barn because of the beautiful marketing, and a lot cheaper at Target.

The Marimekko pattern I remember very well from around 1970. I actually sewed several very short dresses out of Marimekko fabric that I bought at Design Research way back then. OMG. I saved those dresses because I liked the colorful designs so much and then forgot about them. My daughters, who are just a bit older than I was then, found them and wear those very dresses that I made.

I noticed those end tables made out of tree stumps and I liked where they said the trees "died of natural causes." That caused quite a few laughs at my house. Poor trees!

uxorial, I had to chuckle when I saw your post. When I was in college and very short on funds, we found some 'real' tree stumps (similar to what you show) and used them for end tables in our apartment. However....when we went to move out we realized that all the sap had run out of the base and stuck it to the carpet...so much for our security deposit! lol

Yuck.
I didn't like it in the '60's either...

ONE piece would be tolerable in a room -
but much more tolerable if it were someone else's room...

Sky, the toaster is made by Pylones, a French company. I have a few of their things...most recently purchased a bicycle bell while in Paris. :-)

As for me, I enjoy the judicious use of bright color and find the PB look energizing. Wouldn't want to live with most of it, but I would consider certain items at a certain price for a short-term punch of fun. (HAD to check out those lime green dog beds!)

I also breathed a sigh of relief because it makes me think I will have an easier time selling my colorful house this year. I have had a Pear Green hutch in my kitchen for four years now!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pylones

I do like those tree end tables although I imagine they are finished and kiln dried. I still think you get what you pay for.
The groovy patterns appeal to me a little bit, I do love the toaster, but still I'll stick with classics. Pb has some of the best bedding though. I loooove their patterned duvets.

Sky, you're too kind, and you are making me blush ;-)

The list I compiled is for an online magazine that I'll link below. It's still being added to, so do check back. Many of the sites were dispersed to other categories, for ex. modern furniture, lighting or linens. You'll see the categories to the right on the home page. (You can also access my rug info articles there if you click on Rug Expert. (really blushing now) Btw, this is NOT my site nor is there any financial gain derived from it.)

Also wanted to add that I too find the designs rather fun and lively. As a tot in the 60's, these patterns are all too familiar as they are to many of you.

I have nothing against PB, just posted the pix as a visual to show the style is not exclusive to them.

Re the tree stump comments. I am ROTFL!!! I seriously had to go to the site and check the "died of natural causes" comment as I thought it was a joke! And the sap story-OMG, too much.

Amy-you are so on the spot with the mfg of the toaster. Very cool. So not *everything* comes from China...lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Shopping Sources: Accessories

We saw lime green cat litter boxes at Ikea just yesterday :) They were too small, though, or I would have gotten them.

Well good - now I can go back to have my normal style that I had before Pottery Barn came into the world, only thing is I guess it will be called outdated now when before PB it was just me as I always like the more transitional/clean lined style with not much decor items, but not modern looking.

It reminds me of my highchair from the 70's which my mom saved and used for any little visitors up till the early 90's :).

Re Pylones: LOLOL!! Dh and I had a good 10 minutes laughing out loud (like I said :)) at the products and captions there. Now I know why the Coneheads could use France as a cover :)

amysrq, thanks so much for that link - their products are absolutely so interesting and unusual. What a fun way to add a small punch of color. I found several items there to consider and I was pleased to see the prices were very reasonable too. I wish I'd known about them before the holidays because I see lots of items I could buy my children for gifts - okay I need to remember for next year and their birthdays. Just look at those umbrellas and tell me that you wouldn't enjoy carrying one and using it during a gloomy rainy day? They make you smile, I'm buying one for myself and I may buy a couple for my umbrella stand.

tryin2grow - thanks for the link and you deserve the applause. I'm like you, I think sprinkling a few of these colorful items around the house is playful- too much is well too much, but to pull out a pair of fun salad implements for a weekday meal or a funky mirror from your otherwise sedate purse just adds a touch of je ne sais quoi.

Sky

Gramma, tie-die has been back for a while! :) I've been seeing stuff like this for a while, too. Maybe it's just really taking off now and around at more places.

Yes, gramma, in fact tie-dye is considered the homeschoolers' uniform :) (eclectic and beyond hsers know what I'm talking about :))

had a thought (remembered about it right after I posted about tie-dye): interesting that the nostalgia grip hit the 70s first, and *then* back to the 60s. I remember when the 50s hit in the 80s, and everyone said that the 60s would come back in the 90s, but they didn't really...

Wonder if we'll be moving back to Art Deco again soon...some of it I really wouldn't mind. Although I really don't look good in bias cut clothes, now that I've had a child :)

The designers for PB have probably been getting those Brocade Home catalogs (owned by Restoration Hardware) and decided to lighten up a little. LOL

Cameron

Now the Brocade stuff just doesn't get me at all. They still send a catalogue but I just toss it!

We saw lime green cat litter boxes at Ikea just yesterday :) They were too small, though, or I would have gotten them.

Occasionally, we have some "lime green" stuff in the litter box. Not sure I would want a litter box that color. A little bile goes a long way, especially after partaking of forbidden human food.

We do not now nor have we ever worked for PB. And we seldom shop there.
I just was surprised at all the color when they have been so black and dark.

bbcjohn, I wasn't aware the color and retro style was so big either until I was doing some research & stumbled upon those sites I listed.

Patricia !!! (from one cat owner to another)