S/o Can you have the dreaded "Pottery Barn" home without actual PB stuff?

[Anonymous]

The other thread (gallery frame wall) that devolved into how dated and terrible Pottery Barn homes were made me think I may have a Pottery Barn home without any actual PB stuff since I'm cheap like that.
There are so many knockoffs and I like the style, so I think I may be guilty by association.
Can someone clarify what exactly this style is and why we hate it?

[Anonymous]

Following as I found the comments surprising.

Fwiw, I'm writing this from my pottery barn style living room, which includes a pottery barn slip cover couch, which isn't my ideal style but is extremely convenient as we have two messy preschoolers. We clean it once a month.

[Anonymous]

Pottery Barn has a few lovely-looking things, although I don't know whether they are good quality.

What the other people were probably saying is that no one likes houses that feel too matchy-matchy and cookie-cutter. As if no one lived in them. Houses should have the owners' imprint on them.

Note that Pottery Barn must be immensely successful if it is now the object of so much scorn. There is reason why it is now thought of as the tastelessly ubiquitous cookie-cutter home decor for a certain slice of the population.

[Anonymous]

It's not the matchy matchy (though that is also a passe look these days). I think of pottery barn as the look that everyone tried to stuff their bland mcmansions with in the early 2000s to give an air of "fanciness" in a home that was otherwise devoid of any character .... And homes that needed tons of big furniture to try and fill the big rooms. Brown leather everything, big brown couches, apothecary tables, dark wood stuff. Lots of browns, sage green, beige, deep red. Lots of candles, vases, and other junk that was clearly picked up at PB and not the antique market. Crate and barrel was channeling that look a lot in the early 2000s also, though a bit more modern take on it.

Differences today: lighter wall colors. Blue/brown undertones in your color scheme rather than green/brown. Wood finishes today are walnuts, washed out grey, teaks and other medium woods, instead of darker browns with that "painted on" look. Much tighter lines on sofas today (i.e. lots of sofas with button back instead of big pillows and turned arms). More metals in furniture right now. Midcentury is huge, instead of say, the asian or tuscan look we saw in the 2000s.

[Anonymous]

To be completely honest, I hate redecorating (or decorating for that matter). I have a pretty good sense of color/style combinations, but I would much rather have paint and furniture that won't go out of style in a few years. This is why anything currently marketed as "modern" is off the table for me. If I find something that is a mid-century original at a flea market or garage sale, then I'd consider buying it if it wasn't too garish.

Pottery Barn has/had some nice, timeless designs. The PB brown leather armchair and ottoman come to mind. They pretty much match any decor and can be moved around every few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not the matchy matchy (though that is also a passe look these days). I think of pottery barn as the look that everyone tried to stuff their bland mcmansions with in the early 2000s to give an air of "fanciness" in a home that was otherwise devoid of any character .... And homes that needed tons of big furniture to try and fill the big rooms. Brown leather everything, big brown couches, apothecary tables, dark wood stuff. Lots of browns, sage green, beige, deep red. Lots of candles, vases, and other junk that was clearly picked up at PB and not the antique market. Crate and barrel was channeling that look a lot in the early 2000s also, though a bit more modern take on it.

Differences today: lighter wall colors. Blue/brown undertones in your color scheme rather than green/brown. Wood finishes today are walnuts, washed out grey, teaks and other medium woods, instead of darker browns with that "painted on" look. Much tighter lines on sofas today (i.e. lots of sofas with button back instead of big pillows and turned arms). More metals in furniture right now. Midcentury is huge, instead of say, the asian or tuscan look we saw in the 2000s.

But in 5 years that look will be dated, too. That's why people should just go with what they like.

Personally, we are broke and most of our rooms are full of mismatched crap, Ikea and Craigslist finds. When the pottery barn catalog comes, I sit down with a cup of store-brand tea and fantasize about living in those rooms for a few minutes. The Pottery Barn look appeals to most people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not the matchy matchy (though that is also a passe look these days). I think of pottery barn as the look that everyone tried to stuff their bland mcmansions with in the early 2000s to give an air of "fanciness" in a home that was otherwise devoid of any character .... And homes that needed tons of big furniture to try and fill the big rooms. Brown leather everything, big brown couches, apothecary tables, dark wood stuff. Lots of browns, sage green, beige, deep red. Lots of candles, vases, and other junk that was clearly picked up at PB and not the antique market. Crate and barrel was channeling that look a lot in the early 2000s also, though a bit more modern take on it.

Differences today: lighter wall colors. Blue/brown undertones in your color scheme rather than green/brown. Wood finishes today are walnuts, washed out grey, teaks and other medium woods, instead of darker browns with that "painted on" look. Much tighter lines on sofas today (i.e. lots of sofas with button back instead of big pillows and turned arms). More metals in furniture right now. Midcentury is huge, instead of say, the asian or tuscan look we saw in the 2000s.

But in 5 years that look will be dated, too. That's why people should just go with what they like.

Personally, we are broke and most of our rooms are full of mismatched crap, Ikea and Craigslist finds. When the pottery barn catalog comes, I sit down with a cup of store-brand tea and fantasize about living in those rooms for a few minutes. The Pottery Barn look appeals to most people.

+1 I don't have the $$ to update every time the interior decorating mavens tell me a new style is in. But then again, I never had the full PB look anyway b/c I could not afford it! So our stuff *IS* a mix of various diff. things!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other thread (gallery frame wall) that devolved into how dated and terrible Pottery Barn homes were made me think I may have a Pottery Barn home without any actual PB stuff since I'm cheap like that.
There are so many knockoffs and I like the style, so I think I may be guilty by association.
Can someone clarify what exactly this style is and why we hate it?

You like the style, so why does it matter. There is no "one" look that is superior to every other. It's fashion after all, therefore it's very subjective by nature and changes much faster than you will be able to replace stuff. I wouldn't give 2 hoots what any of the pseudo-fashionistas on DCUM thought, it's better to make you own style and end up with something unique. Chances are if we could see the homes of these people that are ragging on PB, most of them would be underwhelming or just plain ugly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The other thread (gallery frame wall) that devolved into how dated and terrible Pottery Barn homes were made me think I may have a Pottery Barn home without any actual PB stuff since I'm cheap like that.
There are so many knockoffs and I like the style, so I think I may be guilty by association.
Can someone clarify what exactly this style is and why we hate it?

Ah, the ever elusive but always present "hive mind" of DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Nobody is saying you have to redecorate every few years and that you have to get rid of your old nice stuff. But if you're looking to decorate a place right now and today (as the gallery wall person was looking to do) you probably don't want to channel the early 2000s heavy brown look unless you love it.

Also, unless you are broke, most people do upgrade their houses by necessity somewhat frequently. Sofas and other upholstery only really last 10 years in a busy room. Paint color starts to look sad by 10 years and most of us would certainly repaint every 15. Pillows are an easy fix, and most of us have changing artwork - as we hang new photos, kids stuff, and other things we acquire over time. Rugs also get old after 10 years. And our family room coffee table looks like crap every 10 years. So most of these things realistically do get swapped out over time. Yes, I still have some core pieces - this amazing credenza I've had for 15 years and always get compliments on. It's vintage, and always fits my style no matter what style the sofa de jour is. Same with my dining table and chairs and a couple other cool tables. But the other stuff is going to get swapped out. What I loved 15 years ago (brown heavy couch) is that what I want today (stream lined Mitchell gold grey long couch).

PS to the person who said the pottery barn brown leather chair look pretty much matches any décor -- we live in the city as do all our friends. I don't know anyone whose home would fit a big brown chair. Everyone is doing cleaner, fresher, more modern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not the matchy matchy (though that is also a passe look these days). I think of pottery barn as the look that everyone tried to stuff their bland mcmansions with in the early 2000s to give an air of "fanciness" in a home that was otherwise devoid of any character .... And homes that needed tons of big furniture to try and fill the big rooms. Brown leather everything, big brown couches, apothecary tables, dark wood stuff. Lots of browns, sage green, beige, deep red. Lots of candles, vases, and other junk that was clearly picked up at PB and not the antique market. Crate and barrel was channeling that look a lot in the early 2000s also, though a bit more modern take on it.

Differences today: lighter wall colors. Blue/brown undertones in your color scheme rather than green/brown. Wood finishes today are walnuts, washed out grey, teaks and other medium woods, instead of darker browns with that "painted on" look. Much tighter lines on sofas today (i.e. lots of sofas with button back instead of big pillows and turned arms). More metals in furniture right now. Midcentury is huge, instead of say, the asian or tuscan look we saw in the 2000s.

I think this is true.

One thing that was more in style that is not in style as much now is symmetry with furniture placement. Everyone used to have matching chairs in the family room and dining room and now i see a lot more mismatched and different shapes, but it really bothers me. I really like symmetry!

[Anonymous]

To your original question, OP - yes, yes you can. In fact, I accidentally have it. Someone walked into my condo and noted how Pottery Barn it looked. I literally do not have one single thing from PB, although I did have a couple of things from Williams-Sonoma Home, so close enough I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not the matchy matchy (though that is also a passe look these days). I think of pottery barn as the look that everyone tried to stuff their bland mcmansions with in the early 2000s to give an air of "fanciness" in a home that was otherwise devoid of any character .... And homes that needed tons of big furniture to try and fill the big rooms. Brown leather everything, big brown couches, apothecary tables, dark wood stuff. Lots of browns, sage green, beige, deep red. Lots of candles, vases, and other junk that was clearly picked up at PB and not the antique market. Crate and barrel was channeling that look a lot in the early 2000s also, though a bit more modern take on it.

Differences today: lighter wall colors. Blue/brown undertones in your color scheme rather than green/brown. Wood finishes today are walnuts, washed out grey, teaks and other medium woods, instead of darker browns with that "painted on" look. Much tighter lines on sofas today (i.e. lots of sofas with button back instead of big pillows and turned arms). More metals in furniture right now. Midcentury is huge, instead of say, the asian or tuscan look we saw in the 2000s.

Pretty much everything described in your second paragraph is currently being sold at Pottery Barn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To your original question, OP - yes, yes you can. In fact, I accidentally have it. Someone walked into my condo and noted how Pottery Barn it looked. I literally do not have one single thing from PB, although I did have a couple of things from Williams-Sonoma Home, so close enough I guess.

Ha. This has happened to me a few times over the years. People have mentioned PB or CB as my "style". And like the pp not a damned thing is from either store. However I am 50. I have been traveling, shopping antiques and flea markets, art shows, and inheriting things for quite a few years. Yes years ago when starting out I bought decor items at furniture stores but those items were donated long ago. Now I keep and display what I like and everything means something to me or my husband. Funky items that were actually purchased by us in a market in Spain or Morocco or somewhere in the Middle East (being military we get around!). Old rugs. New upholstered pieces mixed with old wood cabinets and tables.

If that's "Pottery Barn" then you need to get out more. I remember seeing similar rooms in 'Architectural Digest' back in the 80's.

[Anonymous]

Dreaded? If you dreaded why would you aim to imitate the look??
I love pottery barn. Love it all!
Quality wise we've been happy.
Crate and barrel - not so much...