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Condiment: Five Faves: Apt2b.com's Mat Herman
We round up some popular Fall catalogs and give you the scoop!
That's why we decided to start a seasonal column called CataLove, where we'll round up the "best of" the latest catalogs. In this installment, we check out Crate & Barrel, cb2, Room & Board and West Elm. Think of us as your guide to the latest catalogs -- You'll hear what's new, what's not, the best bargains and what we're coveting this season.
Crate & Barrel's Fall catalog emphasizes jewel tones and dark woods. Photos: Crate & Barrel
Vibe: It's Mad Men goes catalog. From the rich jewel tones paired with dark woods to the chair silhouettes, I see a trend that goes far beyond the catalog pages.
Favorite pieces: I am smitten with this beautiful teal jewel of a chair, but the Marsden is a little pricey at $1099. Just look at the beautiful leather and coloring. The Incognito Compact Office (below left), $899, disguises itself as a sideboard, but when you open it up it looks much larger than before.
What we're tired of: Dark wood. It's everywhere in this catalog. I know it looks rich and luxurious, but would it kill them to throw in some light maple or white?
Best deal: The Trey Pendant Lamp (above left), $199, is a 1960s-influenced chandelier with a lovely oatmeal shade for perfect soft lighting.
Favorite styled room: This particular room design (below right) has got my britches in a bundle: dark wood piled upon more dark colors, the simple metal-framed tables, the repetition of rectangles and squares. I would likely dog ear this picture for future reference.
Bright idea: steal photo styling ideas from your favorite catalogs. Photos: Crate & Barrel
cb2 creates rooms that feel livable. Photo: cb2
cb2 goes organic with their new Stixx bedding, which complements their other gray pieces quite nicely. Photo: cb2
Vibe: It's typical cb2: modern affordability, "freshness" and "newness," but with a slight mid-century feel.
Favorite pieces: cb2 has also jumped on the eco-friendly bandwagon with a new bedding set called Stixx (right), $19.95 to $99.95, in a pale gray and white. Besides the beautiful pattern, it's GOTS-certified 100 percent organic cotton percale with 100 percent organic inks and dyes. Also, the 1950s influence in the hairpin leg Paperclip Side Tables, $199, is pretty evident (if you're a mid-century fan then you gotta love these!)
What we're tired of: cb2 stores not being anywhere near us! With just 6 stores, we're craving more, more, more!
Best deal: The orange chair pictured above, called the Parlour Chair, $699, which is already on backorder! Bummer...I guess we're not the only ones who think it's a great bargain!
Favorite styled room: Above, the pop of orange in the mid-century style room is one of my favorites. I'm drawn to it because because of its simplicity: it's beautiful without being boring. Also, they've thrown in some of their older pieces. For example, the Big Dipper Arc Lamp, $199, isn't new, but when paired with the items pictured it feels fresh and exciting.
West Elm
West Elm's new products are a mixture of muted hues, Fall colors and various textures. Photos: West Elm
Favorite pieces: I've rounded up some of my favorite pieces above. It was very hard to narrow it down to just a few. However, if I had to choose a favorite, I think I'd go with the Hammered Entertaining Serverware, $5 to $9 on the top left because it's so different and interesting with its textured finish. The rest from top left, clockwise: Organic Cotton Sketch-Leaf Duvet Cover and Sham, $19 to $119; Mushroom Divet Cover and Sham, $79 to $89; Organic Clover Towels, $9 to $26; Lutz and Patmos Honeycomb Pillow Cover, $54; Pebble Rug, $89 to $499; Woven Pendant, $199; Essex Mirror, $299; Parallel Nesting Tables, $199; Scalloped Wire Hurricane, $59.
What we're tired of: Dark, ebony wood with neutral upholstery. Somebody, please give me some bold patterns!
Favorite styled room: Above, the top right rustic-styled bedroom looks to me like it came straight from a warm, vacation cabin in the snowy mountains. Makes me want to snuggle up with a good book and some hot chocolate. Oh, wait, it's 90 degrees out today? Maybe in 2 months...
Room & Board's catalog is a biggie, coming out only once a year. Photo: Room & Board
Vibe: Classic neutral meets mid-century. Room & Board can probably be categorized in this way: if Crate & Barrel met DWR and they had a baby. I know that sounds weird, but that's exactly what I think of when I see pieces from Room & Board; they're elegant, stylish, transitional and yet very modern. They also carry the classics from designers like Nelson, Eames and Noguchi.
Favorite pieces: What I like best about Room & Board is the flexibility and timelessness of their own pieces, too. I could take any piece from their catalog and place it in just about any style of room. For example, the Delia chair below, $999, is a simple slipper chair with elegant curves and subtle tufting detail: perfect for just about anywhere! I particularly like the Reese sectional, pictured on their cover. The rounded edge makes it great for use in any room and no ugly corners sticking out! It's a little too steep for me starting at $2,499. The new Holden sofa (below right) is another great piece, although it's also got a big price at $1,999.
What we're tired of: Getting one catalog a year! Since their catalog comes out just once a year, it's a biggie, and a keeper (just like the IKEA catalog!). However, I sometimes wish I got a smaller one two times a year...
Best deal: Organza Medium Pendant Light, $199, paired above the dining table.
Favorite styled room: I usually flip through and bookmark my favorite room designs because Room & Board does such a great job with their catalog. It's chock full of beautifully styled rooms fantastic for decorating inspiration and reference. My favorite room so far is below on the left: it's graceful, with a mix of classic pieces and new items. The dark colors don't feel dark, either. Dog eared this one!
Room & Board's timeless pieces remind us that classic pieces are important staples in any room. Photo: Room & Board
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