Jessica Cumberbatch Anderson: Is DIY Dead?
From Fashion's Runways To Your Home
The Reagan sofa, shown above in Camel, will also be available in Cinnabar (rust), Olive and Stone. Photo: Pier 1 Imports
The Reagan, Abbie and Carmen are available in earthy tones from deep rust to sand and beige, created to perfectly blend into your existing decor. And, the perfect backdrop for Pier 1's great selection of patterned throw pillows!
The Abbie sofa, shown above in Chocolate, will also be available in Berry (red), Sage (green), and Taupe. Photo: Pier 1 Imports
The Carmen sofa, shown in taupe above, will also be available in Brownie, Gold and Toasted Pecan (light brown). Photo: Pier 1 Imports
Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
When are places going to figure out that we are in a RECESSION and it doesn't matter how "custom" you make something if the public CANNOT AFFORD it to begin with. They should concentrate on affordable furniture instead. I keep seeing store after store going out of business because they just cannot get this simple fact through their heads. I live in Virginia and the old A&N stores, which used to be the "Army & Navy stores" and were known as the place to buy cheaper clothes was the classic example. They got away from their roots and started becoming "trendy." They quite carrying clothes in anything but super thin people sizes and gradually came to aim all of their clothes at teanagers. Then they just could not understand why their business dried up?? Gee, I wonder? Could it be that most Americans do not have a size 30 (for men) waist and really do not want to dress like some Hollywood slut all the time? Well, A&N is out of business now and they are only one of many stores who just don't get it.
ReplyPier 1 stores have been closing all over the country.....custom sofas will save them? Brilliant business strategy.......
Replyhow is something available in three choices and housed in their warehouses custom?????
ReplyIn a word.....Ugly.
ReplyMany years ago when Pier 1 was new they had stuff from all over the world. The place was messy and you were able to really find something unusual and great if you dug into piles on the shelves. They had real interesting things from all over the world. Some were one of a kinds. However Pier 1 sold out to some company that turned it into a rubber stamp of so many other gift shops. Dull and not very interesting. Sad to see a great idea turn to beige.
ReplyYour right, I remember my mom taking us there and it being a cluster of everything and anything. And some of it I have never seen before. I thought maybe I dreamt that part up but you confirm what I wish they would do again. I always thought that store was so cool when I was a kid and now like you said it, rubber stamp.
I've been in one of the stores........once. Guess I missed something. I can't believe they are still in business.
ReplyOFFERING 3 COUCHES IN 3 COLORS IS NOT A CUSTOM SOFA,BIG DEAL,CUSTOM SOFA IS 300 DIFFERENT FABRICS TO CHOSE FROM NOT 3
ReplyI actually make custom couch covers in any color.
ReplyProblem is, I'm so busy I don't have time for it...Al-
I love Pier 1. Their things are unique and I always find something when I am there. We have bought many things for our house there and visitors always compliment our decorating. I hope this works for them.
ReplyThe stores that carry all the unfair trade products are going to go out of business.By the time this country recovers from the Depression the small shops will be gone.
ReplyIt's better to start out small ... tread the waters. I would do the same thing with this company. Why buy even more bulk materials, and even offer 10-15 different designs of the couches. What happens if the go bottom up?! The loss could put the company under. This way is's a test! I say ... Good luck ... Good Luck Pier 1
ReplyA sofa that comes in three colors is considered a custom sofa??? Pleeeeease!? I enjoy browsing Pier 1, but they are too expensive for what they sell. Years ago when they first started they were so cheap, but like most stores during the boom, they went more upscale. They were struggling before the bust, so they need to come down to earth and have their stuff less expensive. The dishes and furniture aren't that great a quality and you can buy similar at Walmart online for far less money.
Replyhey mark...is a size 30 waist for a man considered fat? WOW. I never realized that. Seems rather thin to me.
ReplyIt's stores like P1 selling foreign goods at prices that American workers can't cpmpete with that are putting us out of work. Custom is what I specialize in, from upholstery to casegoods, I start with a pencil at my drafting table and take it from there. The mediocrity of most "off the shelf" product is just that. Bring work back to the American craftsman, please.
ReplyThere was a small chain of stores here in the Northeast in the late '60s called Bazar. They featured wonderful ethnic handcrafted home décor from all over the world at absurdly low prices. I remember them fondly as the first places where a member of my counterculture generation could furnish an apartment or dorm room with stuff that didn't look like it belonged to Donna Reed or Ozzie and Harriet. When Pier One came on the scene, they bought out the Bazar stores and carried similar furnishings at first, but in recent years the bargain prices and eclectic merchandise do seem to have been replaced by stuff that seems more like it came out of the Crate & Barrel catalogue. It's a shame - I still prefer the handcrafted stuff where each piece is a little different.
ReplyI am an older boomer guy. I am healthy, still work and earn ok money.After "retirement", I will be very happy to do contract work. Just pay me decently, treat me wiht respect and I will work for no benefits. My successful kids are out of college. No college debt for us, and our house will be paid for in a few months.
ReplyI havent been to a mall in many months, not even at Christmas. We give the grandkids bonds, not plastic junk. I used to enjoy going shopping once in a while, when I could find stylish things for reasonable prices.
Outlet stores were actually located at the factories where products were made.Real bargains wer to be had and it was made inthe USA. China was a Communist country where people lived in communes, rode bikes and all dressed in grey nehru jackets.
Today when we "shop" we do most of it in Montreal or Europe. At least there we can get style for a reasonable price. Every item we have ever bought in those locations has lasted for years. Here everythng is made either for people who dont care about style or appearance or the items are made for spoiled suburban kids who press their paretns into going into debt so that they are not deprived. Everything is worn looking withn 18 months. Most of it is cheap junk and ugly for boys and slutty for girls. When I look at my grade or high school pics or at people who lived in my lttle village,they mostly all looked good! America was a prosperous country where people knew good value and worked to obtain it.
Retailers have got to start talking ot people like me. Give me decent ,stylish products at affordable prices and , provided I have met my monthly savings goal, I will consider buying them. We simply are not buying any more overpricedjunck
And one more thing. when my wife goes to an :outlet mall: she can purca hase 3-4 items for say *0 bucks.the mark dons on womens stuff is actually good at times. Mens goods are another story. Sixty five bucks at an "outlet" for a shirt made in china or Banglasdesh. I will never buy another ties agian, and I will retire before I replenish my current wardrobe.Stop ripping off men!!!!
Pier 1 Needs to update their store layout and clear the aisles
ReplyTHEY ARE NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
The aisles in their stores are barely wide enough for people.
You are right, Karina. I shop with my elderly mother and cannot get her through the aisles. So, I plant her wheelchair in the middle and run down the aisles in every direction while she sits there, bored. They have a handicap parking spot right outside the front door so it's very deceiving. Rarely do I spend much money because the store is not designed to accomodate purchasing more than a few items. One time I took things to the counter as I was selecting them and by the time I was finished, some of my items had been taken away. The counters are usually quite cluttered so I'm sure it gets confusing for the employees when a few people are adding stuff to the existing clutter.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
ReplyLucy