So many people have told me about the miracle that is Garden Ridge, but I’d never been to one. Until yesterday. Yes, one finally came back to Richmond (we heard a lot about the one that used to be out by the airport but it was gone by the time we moved here 4+ years ago). Anyway, here’s what I found on my maiden voyage to the big Costco-ish warehouse full o’ house, garden, and other random stuff.
My first reaction was “man this place is huge” followed by “Teresa Guidice would like it here” (NJ Housewives reference anyone?) since there are oversized urns and stone columns a plenty. Klassy. Let’s just say it’s one of those places that you have to dig through to find the goodies (hidden among many insane and unnecessary things).
But there were definitely a few diamonds in the rough. If by diamonds you mean metal herons that I fell in love with. I know my animal obsession is weird, but these guys actually seemed kind of sophisticated – if they were used for good instead of evil (read: located among a pretty backyard garden instead of among plastic gnomes and flamingos in the front).
And John did his best knight impression while saying that he can’t wait to get one of ’em for the new house. Just kidding. File this under “who the heck buys this stuff?”
Then I fell in love with this rug and those crazy knights were forgiven. It was natural fiber (jute I think) and incredibly inexpensive (I don’t remember the exact price but it was around $30 for a huge 5 x 7′ version). Uh, yes please. I especially loved how modern many of their rug options were since many other discount rugs are only available with traditional and ornate floral designs.
Oh and I liked this queen sized bedding (priced at just $39) that looked especially high end to me- kind of like something out of the Garnet Hill catalog.
And two yards of this pre-cut fabric (priced at just $5.99) seemed like a great deal, considering it looks a lot like some $35 a yard stuff that we’ve seen around.
$1.99 ceramic bird. No further explanation necessary.
Oh and they had tons of pillows. This is just the brown and blue aisle. Yeah, we’re talking tons.
But every “wow” moment I had was tempered with a “really?” moment which followed soon after. But that’s the fun of shopping at hit or miss places like this. Besides, it’s not every day that you lay eyes on a toilet paper stand like this. And yes, that’s a plunger on his head.
Oh and some of the art had potential, especially if it was hung in the right space. For example, we thought this cheerful cherry print would look sweet in a charming white cottage-esque kitchen with red accessories (like a red teapot and red apples in a bowl).
We even thought this crazy textile-ish painting could look Domino-magazine-chic if it was hung in the right room (maybe as a headboard in a soft aqua kids room with a bold orange comforter).
And check out this $24 mirror. Not bad right? Especially if you painted it a color for added pop (daffodil yellow or smoky gray would be cool).
And here we have a $79 bar stool that would look great in a kitchen with a gorgeous bar-height island. Especially if you reupholstered those seats with something a bit more “custom” looking, which would really elevate the classic x-back design.
And here’s the cutest thing in the store: our offspring! Just kidding. This is a picture of the square tray that John’s holding (Clara’s cute face is just an added bonus). We actually ended up buying that sleek branchy tray for just $12 because I love square trays (we have a green one that I move all over the house, so I love the fact that I now have a second one to put to work around here).
And so ends our window shopping spree at Garden Ridge. Do you guys have them in your neck of the woods? Do you know who’s buying those knights in shining armor? Anyone else have an obsession with the ever-elusive square tray? Or a penchant for metal waterbirds? Let’s talk.
We do have a Garden Ridge, which I haven’t visited in forever! Though, after seeing that rug and row of pillows, I might have to make a trip.
By the way, in the knights picture, I love that Clara seems to have a slightly horrified look on her face. She has her parents’ good taste. ;)
Either that or we’re already good at embarrassing her. Haha.
xo,
s
Wow, that looks like a good Garden Ridge! Ours leans toward the “Klassy” and sometimes downright random. The last time I went in there there was a huge, I’m talking HUGE mountain of Scrubs, as in the kind medical professionals wear. In the middle of one aisle with a big sign that said 3.99 or something. Random!
oh wow….. what a fun place! i wish there was one around here! loves most of the good stuff you showed… but that bedding was awful! yikes! what an adorable expression on clara’s face!!!!
I was just online looking for somewhere that I could look for stuff for our house. We are taking our little man to the zoo tomorrow, so we might as well kill 2 birds with 1 stone on our 1 hour away trip. Thanks for posting this! I probably wouldn’t have thought to go there!
OMG! I’ve sooooooooo missed GR. I used to live a few miles from the old one out by the airport. It’s the greatest for inexpensive dishes, glassware, and table linens. I need to go this weekend because we desperately need a rug in the dining room. Thanks for letting me know they were back in town!
Oh Garden Ridge… It’s hard to find much of anything worth buying in that store because, well, you get what you pay for. Overall their items don’t last and do look cheap. And I understand this could be said for those high dollar designer items but GR takes the cake. That is one store I don’t have the patience for. I think I’ll stick with Home Goods, where the odds are a little better.
Cute stuff….but by far the cutest is Clara’s expression where John is holding her and the tray. Adorable!
Before I knew him, my husband once made the mistake of mentioning in front of his dad that he thought suits of armor were interesting. At the next holiday he received three of them as a gift–big ones like those you have pictured. They were donated to a local kids organization before I came into the picture. Thank goodness I wasn’t the one who had to find a polite way to get rid of those!
I love this store! My mom actually told me about one that was being built by her house. She couldn’t think of the name, so I kept throwing out design store names – like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, etc. She said it was none of them. I said it must not be that great since Young House Love hasn’t talked about it. :)
Then, one night she came to take me out to dinner. As we sat at the table, she looked out the window and saw the sign for a brand new Garden Ridge by my house! Of course I went the next day.
There are some really great deals on some really great stuff! And I’m so glad you validated the store for me. ;)
We have a Garden Ridge in Pittsburgh, PA. At christmas time they have every color of ornaments available. A great place to decorate on a budget.
Wish we had one!! Would love some of those finds, and btw Clara is too freaking adorable!!!
I haven’t been to a Garden Ridge in forever but after seeing those rugs, I think I will have to make another trip. Were they outdoor or indoor rugs? It was hard to tell from the picture.
Hey Britt,
They had all sorts of indoor and outdoor rugs. The one we photographed was jute, so we picture it in a kitchen or a sunroom.
xo,
s
Love your blog! And yes – I have seen those crazy knights before. When we were shopping for a home a few years ago, we looked at one house that had not one, but THREE knights outside – one in each of the three archways on their front porch. It was so random…and kind of creepy! Now I wish I had taken a picture!! :)
-Holly
haha that toilet paper holder is too much! I have a confession to make… I have always kind of secretly wanted a knight for my house haha. I have no idea why… my husband thinks I’m insane. Every time we see them at flea markets though I check them out.
PS that tray is so lovely. I have been searching for a square try to go on our large Ottoman in the living room… I wish we had one of these stores in Canada!
OMG! A few years ago I bought my mom some metal herons for her garden… and you are right – They are adorable tucked into her flower beds… just peeking out to say hello! We’ve always recieved a bit of ribbing for our garden zoo, but we don’t overload, and everything is tucked right into it’s own place and just whimsically cute! Nothing “Klassy” going on there. I love my flying pig who’s tucked into the flower bed just to offer a friendly hello to visitors!
We definitely don’t have those where I live! (West-central Wisconsin / East-central Minnestota – St. Paul/Minneapolis area). Looks like fun though. It looks like a huge version of HomeGoods, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx. Fun! I love the tray too!
Such a fancy storefront! Ours looks nothing like that from the outside, but the inside is very similar. I agree that you have to look deeper sometimes, but they have some good finds if you’re willing to take the time. They also have a lot of great Christmas decor (beyond the cheesy) at great prices.
i LOVE garden ridge. glad you got to visit one. they do tend to have a lot of random stuff, but they have a huge selection of art and wall decor as well as great deals on holiday decorations.
I am fascinated by that toilet paper holder. Not to be crass, but why is he smelling his finger? Why?
Haha, exactly! Such an odd man.
xo,
s
i WISH we had one of these near us : / I think I would die in the pillow section.
most of the garden ridge’s around here have closed up, so now you’ve inspired me to stop at one next time I actually see one LOL
I grew up going to Garden Ridge (the very first one in Schertz, Texas). We used to beg my mother to go. It meant running wild in the aisles, a soft pretzel treat and a rare soda. You definitely have to be in the mood to dig or go with a mission, otherwise it’s just too overwhelming! Great place to pick up holiday decor as well.
Hahaha… that toilet paper stand? Wow.
oh my, this place looks like a fantasy land!
off to see if there’s one near me!!!
jillian xoxo
http://just-jillian.blogspot.com
OMG! I love Garden Ridge. We had one in Texas and let me just say that when I moved away, it was a sad-sad day to leave this behind! I even called them to find where the closest one would be in Indiana, no luck. Oh well someday.
The deals are unbelievable there and especially at Christmas time you can find so many unique items and decor.
Glad you were able to experience a Garden Ridge!
I discovered Garden Ridge last Friday night and fell in love instantly! As a 20-something gal on a tight budget I found everything to be so reasonable in price. I spent hours walking each aisle as I was afraid I would miss a great find. I ended up getting the $5.99 fabric that you have pictured that I plan on adding to my too short brown curtains. I also contemplated buying the square tray!
PS: maybe it’s just me but the Garden Ridge link in the last paragraph doesn’t work : (
Hey Liz,
Fixed! Thanks for the heads up.
xo,
s
I’ve never heard of Garden Ridge, I’ll have to keep an eye out for them when we travel. I’m drooling at the picture of the pillow aisle. I’m having the hardest time finding cute, reasonably priced pillows in my neck of the woods. Who wants to spend $30 on a pillow? I need 5 of them that’s 150 bucks on pillows I’m going to want to replace in a year. Do you have an online source you like to go for pillows?
By the way your clara was the cutest thing I saw in any of those photos.
Hey Katie,
Maybe try etsy or ebay or the clarance aisle at TJ Maxx and Target? We’ve seen lots of deals there. Good luck!
xo,
s
My parents have one of those knights!
They received it as a gift from my violin teacher like 15 years ago. I was in 2nd grade and thought it was AWESOME. I even remember standing in front of it in a princess gown and pretending we were going to a ball…
For years after it would randomly scare me half to death as I would walk past or through the hallway and think someone was standing there. I never got used to it, but I’m sure it is in the same spot today.
Yay! Now I know where I can buy a knight for my living room. I kid. I’ve actually never even heard of this place. They definitely have some weird things. I said “what the…” when I saw the toilet paper guy. Seriously, what the…?????? They do have nice things too, I like the tray you guys bought. Very pretty. And Clara looks so cute! :)
This place looks crazy – in a good way! I like a good hunt, and it seems there are a few treasures to be found. It’s a shame there aren’t stores any up north!
I love garden ridge but don’t live near one anymore :( We used to always go with my mom during the holidays and i distinctly remember the cinnamon smell. I can’t tell from the picture, but how much is the cherry print? Thanks!
Hey Beckers,
Can’t remember. It was huge. Maybe $49? $69?
xo,
s
I’ve never heard of Garden Ridge, but you had me at $39 rug. Also the art.. very workable in my space! So I googled the store for locations and GUESS WHAT!? There is one in Birmingham, which is where I will be this weekend. I’ve never been to Birmingham. I live in Louisiana and we don’t have cool stores like Garden Ridge and IKEA, so this post is spot on and right on time! Thanks Sherry! (Can you tell how excited I am?–Now to convince hubby that we NEED to stop here while in Bama)
I’m so jealous that you have a Garden Ridge; we don’t have one in Jersey!!
There’s truth in sarcasm: Clara’s face IS the cutest thing in that store. Although the pantless toilet paper dispenser runs a very close second.
We had a Garden Ridge when I was growing up in Atlanta, but I was too young to appreciate all of the good finds. I was so excited to find that they have one here in Indianapolis now! I’ll have to make a trip soon. I have a slight obsession with birds and may need to find that square tray.
It’s a great place for DIYers, not decorating wise, but in the sense of when you’re trying to make/create something and you don’t know exactly what you’ll need or what will make it work… just walking up and down those stuffed-with-stuff aisles, I’ve found answers I would never have thought of!
Glad you got to check it out! Living in Fburg and having a newborn (plus two older) we haven’t been down there yet since they re-opened. I used to like GR by the airport (long ago, before they got even worse on the Klassy scale over there) for their craft supplies. Do they have any of that stuff in this store? If not, might not be worth the trip for me…
Hey Beth-BTW,
Don’t remember at all. Maybe try calling them? We stuck to home stuff for the most part. Then the baby got hungry so we got going…
xo,
s
My parents have a pair of brass storks that I have always loved. I plan on stealing them someday. And their wooden ducks. And their ceramic elephants.
Our tastes run similar -I love everything except for maybe the giant birds. I can definitely see them in your garden, but not anywhere inside of our tiny place! Plus birds creep some of my family members out. ;) I am starting to develop a (white) ceramic animal fetish!
Ballard Designs sells that cherry print for $250! http://www.ballarddesigns.com/ProductSearch?storeId=10052&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&entryID=%22category_root%22+%3d+%22category%3dWall+Decor%22+%22category_root%22+%2210013%22&action=4&entryType=3&firstAnswer=1&answerPerPage=&entryName=category+%3a+Wall+Decor&historyString=1289489492664%257CsearchTerm%255E5%255Echerry
Great find!
Wow- it was definitely a LOT cheaper than that!
xo,
s
Thanks for the reminder. I haven’t been to Garden Ridge in a while and I definitely need to put it on the list of places to go when I have time to dig. :)
Giveaway on my blog today. $65.00 GC up for grabs!
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/giveaway/
OMG I’m dying right now! We practically LIVE in Garden Ridge and when we were there the other day (surprise, surprise) I literally thought “They really need to visit this place on YHL!” I would see stuff and think, “I wonder what Sherry would say about this…” That’s amazing.
Ha!! When I was out house shopping, we came across a home that actually had a full-sized knight standing in the entry way. I couldn’t believe it! John & I were joking about it and the other realtor misunderstood (thinking we liked it) and said he didn’t think the owner would be willing to include the knight in the sale. We couldn’t stop laughing.
Ive never even heard of Garden Ridge and now I want to go to one! I love places that you can sift through the wacky stuff for treasures. That’s what I love about Home Goods, Thanks for such a great post!
Those are some great finds! I would have snapped up the tray, the ceramic bird (swoon), and that rug in a heartbeat.
You look beautiful, BTW. Would you say that you and John coordinate your outfits with each other to look layered and cohesive rather than matchy-matchy? :)
Hey Katie,
Haha. It’s more like “make sure you have clothes on when you leave the house.” With a baby I just try to remember things like “wear a bra” and “put shoes on your feet.”
xo,
s
I have never heard of that store up here in RI, but I wish there was one around here!
I just have to tell you I am obsessed with your blog. We have a ranch that was built in the 70’s and I always look to your site for inspiration! Since having our first baby back in May I have totally cut out my re-decorating budget (new curtians and comfortors, etc about twice a year :) So the other day I changed up the look of our living room by spray painting the bases of some old metal lamps and wall sconces a nice off white. All for $6 (primer plus paint). It sure beat going out and spening $75 on new ones. And when my husband complimented my creativity I said to him: You know that YHL site I am always on? I got the idea from them!
The cherry print is by an artist I learned about before he went big — Rodney White. You can also find reproductions of his work at World Market or Target now. They’re all adorable, IMHO. I think that one Shannon linked to is more expensive because it’s an artist-authorized print …
I think the toilet-paper man has his finger like that so he won’t smell, um, things ;)
I know exactly who is buying those knight in shining armor! One of my husbands’ fraternity symbols was a knight and every time I go into my local Garden Ridge it reminds me of all the cheesy knights they had in their fraternity lodge. I’m not sure why each store needs so many though! :)
Years ago, when Garden Ridge first opened, I (innocently) sent some friends there for fresh flowers to plant in the spring. I had never been there myself, but I figured a store called “Garden Ridge” sold plants, right? Imagine their horror after they wandered through the store and never set eyes on anything living.