Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Pottery Barn Translations

There's not much I enjoy seeing more in my mailbox than a brand new Pottery Barn catalog. I love to ignore the prices and pretend that I can actually afford to spend $999.00 on a media cabinet. Then reality comes crashing down, and I remember that I live in a 1977 Colonial with scattered Polly Pockets and My Little Ponies as designer accessories.

I really admire the Pottery Barn look, and I'd like to express some of that style without making my house look as if I busted out the Visa and ordered everything off of page 14.

That's where "translations" come in. I might not be able to afford much from Pottery Barn these days, but I can tweak thrift store and yard sales finds to reflect that neat, cozy, casual style I love. I've shared several of my Pottery Barn-esque makeovers here before, but several were featured when I had a decidedly smaller blog.

I love the idea of trays, like these two featured on PB's site:

I found a beat-up, yellowy tray at a yard sale last summer for $2.00 at Goodwill.

Some white spray paint transformed my tray into something non-hideous:

Another translation...I looove to drool over PB drapes, but couldn't bring myself to spend $70, even if they are as pretty as these:

Drop cloths to the rescue! I used a $20 drop cloth to Dress My Window Up with my new "drapes".


My favorite PB "translation"? My PB Inspired Kids' Table Makeover.

I was lovin' this look:

So when I found a table set for $10 at Salvation Army, I knew it was meant to be!

Before:

After:
 

So what do you think? Was I "Lost in Translation"?

{Have you been able to replicate your favorite store's style on the cheap?}


Linking to The CSI Project.
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31 comments:

  1. These are all great! I don't get a chance to go to Good Will or the Salvation Army (too often) but I think I'm going to force myself. After seeing your great finds, I'm bound to find something!!

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  2. I did the tray. I was inspired by the same ones in the PB catalogs, but had a hard time finding a knockoff. I have a "tray basket" on my coffee table for now. Well done!

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  3. Great transformations. Hey, nothing wrong getting inspiration from a pricey catalog! You have done a wonderful job on all of your transformations.

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  4. I loved them the first time, and I still love them :)

    Where'd you find the fabric on the chair pads? I think it's fab!

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  5. love the little table and chairs-so cute with the cushions-great fabric! nice job-looks just the Pottery Barn set.

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  6. Oooo, I love the tray, and I think I recognize the little silver compote! You know I'm all for dropcloth drapes, and the little table is so cute.

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  7. That little table and chairs are making me green with envy! Great work.

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  8. I'm so jealous! I've been looking for a little table set for a long time, you did such a great job. It's adorable!

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  9. So cute!!! I have a tray similar to yours that I'm dying to make over once I figure out how to scrape off the sticker/birdhouse decals the previous owner put on it.

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  10. I love the table and chairs! So cute! I have a hard time paying for stuff like that too...especially when I think I can make it for way less!

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  11. I also love Pottery Barn, but cann't afford thier prices tags. I do the same thing as you...shop yard sales and thrift store and create a knock off look. It can be a fun challange! I love your little table...I shared one like it with my sister when I was little. Only sad thing for me is she got to keep it :(
    Great job on all your PB knock offs!

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  12. Wow! You did an amazing job on the little table. I love the idea of using the white spray paint. I'll have to give that a try.

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  13. Great job on the kids table! I love the cushions! :)

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  14. Thanks for the comment on my personalized subway art! I love your PB inspired kids table and chairs...sooooooo cute!

    -Desiree

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  15. Great translations!! Love the table and chair. Very PB!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  16. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog about my PB inspired curtains! Looks like you have had fun transforming your thrift finds. Well done!

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  17. Thanks for commenting on my blog! I love your children's table set... better than the inspiration piece too!

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  18. you are one busy mom! I think my favorite is the curtains, it is such a great idea! I am sure you will be inspired by PB again soon....have you seen the new catalogue? full of possibilities!
    thank you for visiting!

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  19. All of these projects look like Pottery Barn. I'm like you and enjoy the catalog, but I would never pay their prices. I haven't received a catalog in a long time, I must be off their list.

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  20. Shaking my pompoms on your behalf...2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate!! Amanda! Those are great translations!! Way to go girl!

    Suzanne
    I especially love the table, and I"d love to find one like that for my grandbaby sometime!!!

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  21. Thanks for stopping by my little slice of the bloggy world! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pottery Barn Style, but definitely on a budget. My whole house is going for the PB look, but it has to either me recreated on the cheap or bought at the PB Outlet on the cheap.
    Another thing we have in common is the Goodwill and Salvation Army love! I seriously stop by both about twice a week! I love them almost as much as I love Target....and thats saying something..heehee! Thanks again!

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  22. Fabulous projects! I love what you did with your version of the PB canvas drapes. I'm going to have to try that with mine next set, I think! Thanks for stopping by my blog today...I'm going to spend some time on yours, right now!

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  23. I've always like your drop cloth curtains and the girls' tables and chairs, but I haven't seen your tray. I love that it's boards on the bottom and not a solid piece. Very cute! Love that! You do such a good job with PB imitations.

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  24. Nicely done! That little table is definitly a stunner. I love those cushions you made!!

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  25. All amazing, but the kid's table is my favorite!! - What a transformation! :]

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  26. that little table set is sooo cute! love it! the fabric is adorable.

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  27. Man, you are good. I especially like the kids table. So cute. Why pay more when you don't have to and can have such similar results?? I'm a huge fan of the tray too.

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  28. What great finds!!
    Love the table and chairs!!

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  29. I love them all but my favorite is the table and chairs. So Sweet! It looks better and for a way better price. Way to go!

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  30. Oh, that table turned out GREAT, Amanda! LOVE it : ) Hope you're having a blessed weekend with your family. Lots of love,
    Laura

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  31. I love it when people post about how they re-do PB stuff! This post was fabulous and so inspirational. I am definitely going to paint an old tray I have white after seeing this-thanks!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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