Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Target - Love it or Hate it ?

I have found that many people, especially designers, have strong feelings about mega retailer Target. They either love it or hate with equal passion. Personally, I am a Pottery Barn hater. I can't really explain why. They have some very cool stuff. I think it comes from years of my clients showing me their Pottery Barn catalog and asking me to copy it. Or it could be that I am envious of their creative director, one of the most stylish and creative women on earth.

For some reason I feel the opposite about Target. I am a Target lover. I even look to Target to follow trends as they seem to really be on top of the market. I love that everything is cheap in price but fairly sturdy and it looks like products that sell for a ton more else ware.

Check out these new Target finds:



Super cool vanity Fedella Mirror in a gunmetal finish. I love the shape of it - very 1940's . The mirrored jewelry box is fabulous. Linen Coasters from Victoria Hagen come in yellow and blue. The black cast iron tea pot has a serious Zen feel.


Table ware seems to be an area where Target really excels. I chose a black and white theme but there were many nicely designed motifs to choose from. Patterns shown above are:
Damask Black Ring Curly Que


Gallerie Collection Glassware


Hampton Forge San Remo Flatware Hampton Forge Mirasol Flatware


Victoria Hagen vases



Cool Rugs and Lamps.


Make sure you check out the entire Victoria Hagen Collection. She has great stuff.

Target.com has a much better selection than at my local Target.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Target. Besides, unlike Wal-Mart, they actually pay their employees a little, do a lot of good community works and donate to many worthy causes. Oh, and their stuff is super cool. Now I'm wishing I bought that mirrored jewelry box (shown above) I carried around the store this weekend.

Oh, also, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog.

Unknown said...

Hi Martha,
I'm with you and I do not shop at Walmart either. I was thinking more about it and I think one reason Target is so successful is they rotate their products so frequently. There is always something new and cool to look at and covet like that mirrored box. You should have bought it while you had it! We obviously both have very good taste.
Jackie

PAT said...

You struck a chord with the dinnerware. I am addicted to tableware and love to mix it up! WOW! I love those black and white pieces and the San Remo flatware!

I see some Target purchases, in my future!

I don't shop Walmart, for the reasons already mentioned.

Pat

Vintage Rose Collection said...

Hi Jackie!
I can never pass a Target store without stopping and coming home with bag full of fabulous finds. My favorite section is the Rachel Aswell Simply Shabby Chic..The Prettiest things to decorate your home for a great price..
I'm a Lover!
Thanks for sharing, Jo-Anne

drey said...

Hehehe I LOVE Pottery Barn... I think because it's a unattainable lust for us Australians. Wish PB would come to Australia. *sigh*

Target's not bad but we don't nearly have the range that you guys in US enjoy!

Unknown said...

Glad you all like it. I sometimes feel guilty when I'm shopping there like someone is going to catch me in the act!

Drey - What are the big stores down under?

Jo Ann - I bought some Shabby Chic stuff there for a clients daughter thinking it would be somewhat comparable to the regular Rachel Ashwell label but it shrank - disaster!

Mary said...

Oh, I just love that dinnerware! I find Target has some great stylish outdoor stuff, too. BTW, we call it Tar-jay (phonetic sp.)Mary

Unknown said...

Mary - we also refer to it as Tar-Jay, and you must also shop at JC Pen-ay! I frequently buy lunch at Jacques in de Box. Just call me "continental"
Jackie

cotedetexas said...

Tarjay, that's how we say it too - all the way! I love it. The ottoman in my family room across from my coffee table is from Target - the Shabby Chic collection. Slipcovered for like $79, don't know if it's still available. And Ashwell used to have the BEST slipcovers there, I would take them to the beach to cover the sofas in the condo. The Victoria Hagan tables are wonderful. the bedding from O'Brien, the best. Can NOT compare to WalMart KMart any other mart, just in a class by itself. And I love PB, RH too! West Elm and Brocade - all have great buys for the money. I was so going to do this post, what, are you reading my mind now????

Mélanie said...

I LOVE IT TOO . I can say it . I love everything in it !!

Linda Merrill said...

I totally agree with your PB comments - I also got many requests for a Pottery Barn living room from clients. As I said to them - well, then, just call up and order age 67 you're done. No need for me! As for Target, I like it for the small details, but not big stuff. Don't like Walmart and rarely shop there, but, I have to correct Martha above, I just heard on NPR that they are the single largest charitable organization in the US. So, with the bad comes some good, I guess.

diana murphy said...

Can't wait for your book! You must be so excited.

I've been away for a while. Catching up on my favorite blogs.

I'm kind of amazed at the look of those Victoria Hagen arts & crafts-ish vases. Wonder what they're like up close...

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

We would do a jig for a Target in Canada...sigh...

Anonymous said...

I like Target because you can get great accessories and stuff to fill in for a great price! Some of their stuff isn't the best quality so you do need to be selective about what you are going to use it for. To round out your house and accessories, you can't beat Target.

Pottery Barn's catalogs are awesome for ideas. I find them to be rather expensive for most people. But, I do buy things there and clients do as well.

I'd rather go to a resale shop or estate sale and buy real quality for reasonable prices than to pay more for what everyone else sees in a catalog.

Good post. You read my mind too.

Melissa

annechovie said...

Love Target....you can find so many things there. Actually, Super Target has some good food, their own brand, Archer Farms, is pretty good quality. I've gotten hooked on the raspberry juice bars this Summer. Some cute pieces in decor as well. They do a LOT right....must be some smart people up there in Minneapolis....

Brilliant Asylum said...

I just bought a wonderful mirrored tray for $25 at Targe'. I think is a great place to buy trendy accessories without spending much money.

Unknown said...

So glad you all share my Target Love. I promise to shop proudly now instead of lurking through the aisles. I may even go down to The Big T today and see what I can pick up.

Unknown said...

Anne, They sell food at your Target? Like a super Walmart? OMG I would kill for one of those!!! We only have the standard variety Target here. you lucky girl you.

ALL THE BEST said...

Oh how I miss Target living in the UK, I'd love to have one over here, it’s just the best.

Jackie, I am so sorry, somehow I have left you off my blog roll!! I will add your blog right away!

Unknown said...

Hey, All the Best - I apologize but I can't work up to much sympathy for your lack of Target in the UK. You're living in the UK !!!!!!! Oh how I would love to spend a few years over there. I will just have to live vicariously through your blog. Thanks for adding me to your blog list.
Jackie

franki durbin said...

Hagen never ceases to amaze me. I wanted to avoid her influence, due to the overabundance of her things at every Target store... but I can't deny her impeccable style and awareness of less is more. her work 9and her collection) are truly gorgeous.