I had a Hooker Office Armoire and then I purchased a smaller Ballard one - the Hooker was huge - for our rental. No question the Hooker was far better made - a piece of furniture that will last through generations. I sold it for only $500 less than I paid 5 years later. However, the Ballard is perfectly acceptable and has held up well. Certain things - like the desk surface - are looser after a couple years use. But the overall structure seems quite sound and the finish was very nice. I think the value of Ballard is that they really do have a selection of furniture that fits very specific needs. It s always possible to find a good furniture deal if you work at it - I got the Hooker at a place that sells all furniture at 30% or more off retail - the very same piece at Crate&Barrel was $1200 more than I paid. So The hooker was a much better value for my money. However, the Ballard was exactly the size and function I needed so it was also a value in a different way.

Hi twit (love that name!)...... I actually have the PB black file cabinets with a granite top that I rescued from a friend. The cabinets seem to be very well made, look beautiful and have held up for the past year that I have owned them. I don't know what the top is like because, as I said, I used a granite top on mine, but I would imagine that if the file cabinets are well made, the top might be also!!! Good luck!

Wow, thanks so much @gooster! I've been eyeing the Coventry corner banquette forever and agonizing about the cost especially since I can't test it out. You were nice enough to respond to a post I wrote a few weeks ago on this and I've had your amazing kitchen reveal open ever since then. Do you happen to remember which fabric you chose? I have some samples already but was considering the Sunbrella heather grey (which I don't have.) The rest of my renovation is waiting till spring after a contractor disaster earlier this fall, and the whole experience of choosing the wrong person to write a big initial check to has made me even less capable of making decisions than I usually am. I feel like the sale is a nod to take the plunge finally.

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