So I just received Pottery Barn’s Bed and Bath catalog in the mail and as I was folding down the pages to scan images for later, it occurred to me, what if I had to decorate and finish a room with only items from one catalog? I know it would make the room look like a catalog, of course. Something that everyone who appreciates design hates! But could it be done in a way that would be presentable (and maybe someone who had never seen the catalog wouldn’t know the difference)?
So, here’s what I came up with.
Images courtesy of Pottery Barn.
Somehow I’ve managed to create a faux bedroom that I think I would even love, although it would feel like sleeping in a catalog. On the other hand, who hasn’t looked at a catalog or a showroom (and of course IKEA comes to mind) and thought, I could just buy everything shown here and the room would be done!
A little more about each, moving clockwise.
1. Heirloom Frames – A Pottery Barn classic and can no doubt be bought, found, etc. at almost anywhere cheaper! I love the antique white color and texture and varying shapes. Also I would probably frame pictures or artwork as I’m still not sure about the nothing-in-frames trend.
2. Decorative Mantle – Ah, the decorative mantle. This item in every Pottery Barn catalog kind of makes me laugh (especially the price), but the concept sure is pretty! I would prefer to recreate the look with a real mantle sourced from an old family farmhouse or somewhere with it’s own history.
3. Velvet Drapes – I picked the Porcelain Blue color since I thought it would look so rich next to the rug (I’m envisioning a neutral paint on the walls and hardwood floors). This time of year velvet might be a little heavy (even for Fall), although I’d have to see the drapes in person to determine their actual weight. In any case, I think they’ll do!
4. Harrison Bedside Lamp – I kind of surprised myself with this one. Not the lamp itself (the shape is amazing), but the finish – Oil-Rubbed Bronze. Is it possible I’m off the Nickel train? Nope, but in this particular room (remember it’s a faux room), I think it would work very well. I envision the Oil-Rubbed Bronze finish on the window hardware as well.
5. Bird Jewelry Dish – I know, here we go again with the birds! Nonetheless, it is a really cute dish and would be useful to hold jewelry, hair ties, lip balm, and what have you at the side of the bed.
6. Monogrammable Throw – I would chose this in Porcelain Blue (I’m sensing a theme here) because it just looks so soft and cozy and everyone needs a throw on their bed for naps!
7. Please Make My Bed Pillow Cover – Now this is just the cover (I figured we all have throw pillows around we can re-use as an insert) and again this is an item that could be easily made or purchased from Etsy for a lot less money and could display a lot more creativity. But for this exercise, it will do (plus I love how the scroll pattern is echoed in the rug).
8. Maren Rug – And last but not least, the item that inspired this entire post. I don’t know if Pottery Barn is really the place to buy a Persian-style rug, but on the other hand, I really like it. Most if not all Persian or Persian-style rugs are in colors that I don’t love or the pattern is somehow off to me. Not this one! The shades of blue, the subtle yellow and gold, the scrolling flowers on the vine…Swoon.
So, there you have it. A faux bedroom decorated only with Pottery Barn items. Now off to see where I can put that rug…