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.
This place looks amazzzzzing!!
The nearest Garden Ridge is over 100 miles away from us. Too bad.
While house hunting this past summer we ran across a house (not for sale) with bright purple shutters and at least 3 suits of armor standing tall across the front yard. Not exactly sure what kind of statement they were trying to make…
When I moved to Baltimore from Texas 5 years ago, Garden Ridge was one of the things I missed the most (well, other than Sonic, good Mexican, and Hobby Lobby)! Maybe they’ll make it all the way up here soon too!
in reply to Mary Lozano:
there is one in Indianapolis!
My husband;s bff has a Knight in his house. He is single though. I’m guessing/hoping if he meets the right girl then the knight will be removed. It’s kind of scary. I get way to overwhelmed everytime I go to Garden Ridge. I pretty much walk around grabbing tons of stuff and then realize I don’t need any of it and end up putting it all back on the shelves.
Great job on the site. You have done an excellent job of presenting the projects. I specialize in rehabs and remodeling too (I am a Realtor and General Contractor in Beaufort,SC) and have a lot of “before and afters” I am proud of as well. A few are posted on my real estate home page site in slide shows. But you guys have topped the mark in presenting your your hard work on the site. You have made it easy to follow and very interesting with all the photos. I build my websites too and I know how much work it is. Good luck on your projects and selling your home. Keep up the good work!
This store looks awesome, I just looked up and have two close enough in the Chicago suburbs to check out. Are all of the mirrors so reasonably priced? I have been looking for the best deal I can find on a full length wall mirror for quite a while now.
I have another store recommendation for you to check out if you haven’t been to a Hobby Lobby already. It is sort of like an oversized Michaels – all of the arts/crafts/florals and frames, LOTS of holiday decor, but then they also sell some furniture and lots and lots of home decor pieces like glass and ceramics, and are always putting things on sale for 50% off. I recently bought two glass lidded jars for my bathroom’s cotton balls and q-tips and spent a total of 13 dollars while they were on sale.
Hey Erica,
Yup, most of the mirrors we looked at seemed to be well priced! As for Hobby Lobby, they don’t have one in Richmond. So bummed.
xo,
s
We have several Garden Ridges around Atlanta, and I agree that items are hit or miss. But we got an AMAZING patio conversation set there a couple of years ago. It never went on major sale, so I would just go visit in the store until finally hubby agreed that we needed to buy it:) Most comfortable thing ever, and when talking about patio furniture, the price was actually really fantastic, just a lot of money to me (since I am used to crazy low gently loved Craigslist bargains).
http://www.leslieadavis.com/2009/08/red-cushion-reveal/
I have never heard of that store before. Um, yea, there’s some interesting items there… haha. Oh my gosh I love that tray you got though!!
I am SO glad I am not the only Nutty Franklin who goes out and buys MORE stuff to pack up just before a move!!
We used to live in Richmond during the first GR incarnation, and they were open on THANKSGIVING DAY! It was the BEST. It absolutely saved us one year when an older guest got a bit tipsy and fell in the powder room and had to call an end to the party. (He was fine. Just mighty embarrassed.)
They used to be good for RIBBON! Miles of it! Cheap too. Oh and Christmas lights. Seasonal stuff always seemed the best buy. I am happy to see the knights made it back.
Im just curious, do new purchases take away from your list of 100 things to get rid of? lol I cant help but imagine you ridding 100 things and picking up 99 new before the move.
We’re seriously on a buying freeze except for that tray (square ones are just so hard to find!) but I guess anything new that we buy can add to our list of things we must purge (ex: if we buy five items in the next month, we’ll up our purge count to 105). I know it sounds weird, but sometimes buying something you’ve been looking for for a while can help you purge too. Now the two rectangular trays and baskets that I have (which I love way less) can definitely go!
xo,
s
Oh wow. I had completely forgotten about Garden Ridge!! I have to drive about 90 miles to get to the nearest one…about the same as Ikea. Maybe I’ll pop in next week when I make my voyage to Ikea. Thanks for the reminder!!
Duh, I don’t know, Sherry, I think one of those knights spray painted white might be nice . . . ;-)
I actually used to work in the custom framing shop at the old Garden Ridge by the airport, so I had to check out the new store which seems to have followed me. I have to agree, the store is really huge and it takes a long time to dig out the treasures, but it’s a good go-to for cheap holiday decorations. The old one first started off with a lot of party and art supplies, so it’s a bummer that they replaced those with an extensive furniture selection.
O.M.G.!!!!!! That almost looks better then a Home Goods to me…is it better then Home Goods? The closet one to me is in PA. nuts!!! I would spend way to much in a store like that, but I would get a lot of great things for good prices it looks like. I might have a little trip in my future. ;)
Thanks for sharing. So what did you leave with? All the stuff you took pictures of or only the bird and tray? Do tell! :D
Hey Jen,
We actually only left with the tray. Since we’re moving we’re not in any rush to acquire more stuff. And honestly, it’s not as good as HomeGoods. That place is the pinnacle of amazing to us. But Garden Ridge is definitely still a lot of fun.
xo,
s
You want to know who’s buying those knights – my husband! He has one that’s about two feet tall, and it stands outside the door to our apartment. He put it there when he first moved in with me and when I saw it, I have to admit that my first reaction was, “oh no, now I have to live with a boy.” I don’t know what will happen to it when we move….a freak “accident,” maybe?
Haha, we have a knight in a corner of our living/dining space. Guilty as charged I guess!
We didn’t pay for him though, we found him in our garage when we moved into the house and he’s all rusted and dented and gnarly looking. I doubt that excuses things, but I like his character. :)
PS–You are getting a Hobby Lobby in Glen Allen. Just googled the website. Sadly, none at all in MA. Loved the one in Kalamazoo, MI.
Wahoooooooo! You just made my day Rich.
xoxo,
s
Wow – I’ll have to check it out next time I’m in the RVA. Thanks guys!
To answer the time-honoured question of “Who the heck buys these tacky slightly-less-than-life-sized knights,” I have an answer: my senior year housemate’s mother. That’s who buys them. She buys them and then puts them in my house at the bottom of my stairs so that whenever I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night I see him lurking there and think a rapist (a bed intruder anyone?) is about to murder us all. And then I realise – no, it’s just Bruce (yes, we named him).
We have a Garden Ridge in town. I go by occasionally to check it out. It’s hit or miss like you said. My friend so eloquently refers to it as The Warehouse of Crap, haha.
I love the rug and tray! Now I’m going to have to make a trip to ours. :)
I had a professor who had a knight in her classroom once. I suppose that it was relevant.
I love your outfit, Sherry! Where are your jeans and jacket from??
Jeans are from H&M. Jacket is actually a cardigan sweater from Old Navy. I’m a cheap gal when it comes to clothes.
xo,
s
I have never found anything good at the St. Louis Garden Ridge. But they do have white Christmas trees on sale for 50% off and I’ve been wanting one for years, so I think I may have to revisit.
All those armor suits reminded me of that old Disney movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks. My brother and I LOVED that movie as kids.
(Why do I have a feeling most people here are way too young to remember that movie?)
*slightly-MORE-than-life-sized. Bruce was really tall.
Your offspring IS super cute!!
I wish we had a Garden Ridge so that I could find cheap stuff and while laughing my head off at the other ridiculousness!
Garden Ridge was a wonder when planning my wedding. We had live flowers for the bridesmaids and such but fake flowers for the decorations. We found the perfect color flowers there and bought a ridiculous amount. I was amazed they all fit into the car. They also had these wonderful floating candle taper candle holder that was perfect for the windows of the church. The place is overwhelming but you can definitely find some good deals and neat things if you don’t mind the digging.
ok, one last thing…For Beckers, that cherry print is also at World Market, and has a lemon print that coorinates with it.
I love me some Garden Ridge! Check it out after Christmas because they do 90% off their decor! I stocked up and cannot wait to finally have all matching items! I have even found a use for things throughout the year!
http://clothedwithstrength.blogspot.com/2010/01/steal-of-week.html
Also if you ever are back in NC check out Carolina Pottery or Old Time Pottery (Charlotte) because they are very simliar to Garden Ridge with lots of cheap items!!!
My mother in law has that toilet paper guy…its hilarious, but umm yea …not very classy.
No Garden Ridge up here in New York or Hobby Lobby. I wish I could go to one.
But speaking of trays… I have been searching for just the right tray for my ottoman for years. I wanted a large rectangle one to fit on the ottoman but could not find the right one. Then we moved and I found a great retro orange tray at my neighbor’s yard sale. It was perfect (I have an orange and brown living room) and only $5. It’s so nice when you find just the right thing.
I have never been to Garden Ridge. We have 2 in Austin, but they seem to be so full of un-environmentally friendly disposable plastic crap I think I will continue my run of having never been to a Garden Ridge.
Funny, my dear neighbor has one of these repro knight’s armour things on his front porch!
I totally would buy that knight! I think there a place for him in a kitchy, tongue-in-cheek kind of space. He’d definitely bring that element of surprise :)
That looks like a great store and I’ve never heard of it. I’m going to look up the locations now.
I have never heard of Garden Ridge, I will have to see if there is one in my area. Looks like they have some great stuff! Thanks for sharing. :)
It seems like a super Home Goods! Wishing we had one in Jersey…
Hey, my grandma has one of those knights in her entryway!! I’m sooo offended!! Totally kidding. We make fun of her for it all. the. time. She named him and he “guards” the house. lol.
p.s.
We have both a Hobby Lobby (several, actually) and a Garden Ridge, but no HomeGoods or Ikea. I’d gladly trade you!!
Thanks for the intro to Garden Ridge!! Had no idea!! Nearest one is 3-4 hours away but now that YHL and Design Sponge have inspired me to get my home style on (finally!!), I’ll probably plan a day trip up there. After my purging phase is complete (see related comment on yesterday’s post ;). Molly in Fla.
I love Garden Ridge! We have one near us, and I bought a large mirror there, along with several other decorative items. I agree that it’s a total hit or miss, but they have some GREAT prices.
WHY do I live in Canada??
My parents, who are yard sale fanatics, bought a Knight in shining armor at a yard sale once for $30. I came home from college and there it was. They had it about a year and it was this big joke/conversation piece in the living room. I think they named it Bob or something. They moved it outside after a while and it freaked people out if they walked out the back door. They finally re-sold it at a garage sale and got $50 for it!
Love love LOVE Garden Ridge. We refer to it simply as “heaven”.
Ohhh yes. Garden Ridge. We have one. & it’s a huge, orange & white eyesore right of off the highway. I rarely go for the reason you listed above, that I have to dig to find stuff. However, it’s great for Christmas decor.
& that man with his pants down is taaaacky.
We have a GR a few miles south of where I live. I don’t get a chance to go there often, but when I do, I always find such interesting things! Definitely check it out during the holidays when they start putting out their Christmas stuff… just rows and rows of ornaments, and they are relatively cheap compared to other store prices. Glad you had fun! And I love that tray!
First of all, that Clara is too much for my soul!!! She is precious, so much personality in that little angel face. Second, a friend of mine BOUGHT THAT KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR at our local Garden Ridge (which is like a garage sale compared to yours). She is a teacher and has a castle-themed reading room at our private school in our small town. This year she splurged for the knight. ha! I guess that is the only reasonalbe explanation as to why someone would buy him. Hopefully.
Did they have their Christmas stuff out yet? At our GR they usually have great deals on wrapping paper and whatnot.
Hey Laura,
Haha, that’s too funny! I think a knight in a castle-themed reading room at school makes sense. Oh yes, and they definitely had their Christmas stuff out- we just avoided that section so we weren’t tempted to buy lots of things that we’d just have to pack up and move!
xo,
s
I would be mom-of-the-year if I bought one of this knights for my 4 year old son! I showed him the picture and he fell in love instantly!
As for your tray, you’ll find more uses as Clara grows. My kids use those trays all the time for little art projects, puzzles, Polly pockets, play dough, etc. They are great for keeping little messes contained and to transport from room to room!
I’ve never heard of this place, but I think I’m in love already. Unfortunately, there aren’t any in California. The closest we’ll get to one is on our next visit to Texas to visit my in-laws! Thanks for the great ideas!
Sherry- Love the skinny jeans! And obviously Clara’s face and her little ruffle butt. So cute.
This place looks both fantastic and awful at the same time. It might be worth making a day trip to visit, though. I’m in need of cheap decor and furnishings for our apartment!
I’d never heard of Garden Ridge! I guess they have enough uh variety to attract a diverse population. Love that tray you picked up and that is seriously a cute picture of Clara!!
Wait…it’s BACK?! I used to drive down from D.C. just to go to Garden Ridge!! I first went to one in Oklahoma City on a business trip and found out Richmond was the closest one at home. Then they took it away =( – you totally just made my day! No, my WEEK! *thx!!