Woot, I finally got through the 200+ photos I took at two of my favorite on-the-road-to-Atlanta-and-back shopping stops: The Pottery Barn Outlet (in Gaffney, SC) and Mary Jo’s Cloth Shop (right outside of Charlotte, NC). So here are all the things I loved the most (and yes, I actually got something, which I’ll call out at the end of this post). So fasten your window shopping seat belts, we have a lot of ground to cover.
First let’s start at the PB Outlet. Does the building beckon you in too, or is it just me?
Since we had Clara and Burger with us for the Haven trip, John very selflessly offered to stay outside and entertain the bean and the burgs. Aka: he didn’t want to shop. Go figure. Haha.
I was happy to poke around inside with me, myself, and I (and my camera) which is where I came across these two fun metal chairs (the adult-sized white one on the right was $245 marked down to $123 and the red kids chair was $119 marked down to $59 (I felt a pang leaving the cute red kids chair there since I knew Clara would love it but we already have two kids chairs at home – that we got for $5 from a yard sale up the street – so it just wasn’t meant to be).
I was also kind of in love with this red stool with a cool slatted top (marked down from $150 to $75). The price is still a little steep if you need a bunch of them, but I think it’s a nice inspirational DIY idea too (you could spray whatever wood stool you have red on the bottom and keep the wood top au naturale).
Sticking with the I’m-on-a-red-kick theme, this awesome giant light (this picture does the size no justice, but it was probably 24″ wide) was marked down from $160 to $70. I almost got it. Almost. Just didn’t have a spot for it and knew John would kill me make me return it if I walked outside to greet him holding this behemoth. I hope somebody adopted him though. Please tell me someone did.
My favorite area of the whole store is the giant rack of on-sale rugs in the back. There are tons of them (both from PB and West Elm, which are my favorite). This nubby silvery blue one and this bright orange Morrocan one were among my favorites. I forget the prices, but they’re always marked down a ton – sometimes over $500 off!
Here’s a light that I think was so delicate and pretty. Wouldn’t it be awesome in a little girl’s room? I love the antique bronze color but could also see it sprayed glossy white or even matte gray or something fun like lemon yellow. It almost has a bird’s nest quality to it.
Dude, this lamp = my dream. It was about three feet (!!!!) wide. And get this, it was more than 50% off (it was $550, and was marked down to $200). Still kinda steep, but in a room with a lofted ceiling over a giant dining table- yeah it would be the bomb.com. You can’t really see it well in this photo because it was giant and I was trying to hold it up while taking this picture all by my lonesome, but it was basically a hammered silver finish on the outside and the inside was super silvery and metallic. I could just tell it would toss around so much light and add so much sparkle in a modern and industrial way. Delish.
This pretty mercury glass lamp was marked down from $100 to $50 (which seemed comparable to most of the bigger lights at HomeGoods) and the globe light was marked down from $125 to $60 I think (still thought that was a little pricey, but here’s hoping they get marked down more over time).
Oh and as for kids stuff, in the Pottery Barn Kids section, they had these cute colorful lanterns (in blue, green, and pink) for something like $19. And this red desk lamp (you know I’m on a red kick…) was so cute since it was a little retro looking airplane. Didn’t catch the price for you guys though – so sorry!
Then there was one of my favorite things in the store. This math art. Why? My dad is a mathematician. My hubby went to a math & science magnet high school. And I am terrible at math. See how it ties into so many people I love while reminding me of my math deficiency? Gotta love that.
Each giant frame (we’re talking at least four feet tall) was marked down from $99 to $69 (which honestly isn’t a bad price for a frame that giant) but I also thought it could be a fun DIY art idea for anyone at home who wants to decorate with numbers. The item on the right is a chalkboard/corkboard that was marked down to $60, which I thought could be so functional in a kitchen/pantry. It would be a great place to pin up homework assignments and art and fliers from school along with writing lists and notes, etc. Or you could make one yourself with some cork from Target or Office Max with some chalkboard paint on the other side.
I loved both of these sheet sets since they’d each add a little je ne sais quoi. The ones on the left were marked down from $140 to $50 for the set and I forgot to check the price on the cute kids ones (called Penelope) but I think they were reduced at least $40 from the regular price.
And now for this hunk of gorgeousness. Yes, it was giant. Yes it would never fit in our car. Yes, it was still $1330 (marked down from $1900) but I totally pined for him. He was handsome with a capital H. I hope someone else snagged him for some posh and amazing bathroom remodel that they’re doing. If so, send us pics so we can house crash you (I need one last chance to tell him how much I love him).
They also had some fun more industrial pieces that looked like they were full of history (like the episode on Friends where Rachael convinces Pheobe that her coffee table is from a flea market when it’s really from Pottery Barn). This printer’s armoire on the left was originally $1400 (!!) but was marked down to $800, which is still steep but it was a pretty amazing piece. The metal shelves on the right were marked down a lot too but I didn’t catch the price. I loved the giant castors on the bottom and thought it could be awesome in a bathroom (picture it full of towels and soaps and stuff) or even in a kitchen (loaded up with dish cloths, cook books, and some glass containers full of flour and sugar).
This chair. Oh this chair. I was more into this chair than Game Of Thrones (and I’m really into Game of Thrones right now). It was marked down from $600 to $420, which still put it well out of our price range, but I thought it would look so cute in our sunroom. So yes, I totally whispered “I’ll never let go” after snapping this picture. It looks kinda bland here, but picture it with some amazing pillow on it next to a fun colorful side table (maybe a bright yellow ceramic garden stool) in a room full of windows overlooking the great green outdoors. It could be epic.
Speaking of the great outdoors, these wooden lounge chairs were marked down from $709 to $355 (around 50% off) which still make them kinda spendy, but they looked really well made. I’m sure they’re gone now. They were total charmers in person. And if I was a lady who lunches I would totally want to lunch on those (Housewives style with butlers and such).
These giant glass hurricanes were around $39 I think (down from $80). I loved how big they were (a cluster of three would look awesome on a giant 14′ long patio table or something – you know, if you’re handy enough to make one like my girl Katie B, or if you’re a housewife and can buy one to match your diamond studded sunglasses). Or if you’re like me, one would be awesome on a front porch, on one side of the door for asymmetrical charm. Now I’m sad I didn’t get one to do just that…
These were also around $39 (marked down from $80) and they were also pretty large (maybe about 18″ tall?). I bet one would look so pretty in the middle of a patio table with a candle gleaming inside (and shining light out of all those lace-like holes).
Pretty glassware. And lots of it. I loved the cups on the top shelf. I think they were $3 each. So cute for anything from juice to wine (my Italian momma taught me that anything can be a wine cup, even an old jelly jar). Wait, that makes her sound like a lush, and I promise she’s not. Just a lady who doesn’t want to be restricted to stemware only when it comes to her wine.
I was very very very tempted when I saw a pile of delicate lettered candle sconces. And of all the remaining letters, they still had Clara’s initials – C. P. (what are the odds?). Then I looked at the price tag and realized they were selling the whole stack of five letters as a set for $50. Boo! What if I just wanted two? Then I realized that they spelled out the word Peace. Made a lot more sense after that realization. I do get a kick out of the fact that Clara’s initials are in the word Peace (although she can definitely disturb the peace like the best of them!).
I snapped this picture because I thought these pillows were an awesome example of how someone who isn’t into decorating with Santa or reindeer could still gussy up their house for the holidays. Wouldn’t that red berry pillow with the long green lumbar be so nice on a sofa during the holidays? Plus they were pillow covers, so you could store them easily in a closet or something for the rest of the year (and just put your regular pillow covers back out once Christmas is over).
So that was my latest PB run. I can’t believe I didn’t leave with anything, but in the back of my mind I knew our car space was limited (traveling with a kid and a dog means bringing the dog crate and the pack & play along with all of our suitcases and other stuff). And I was kinda saving my money for Mary Jo’s since we all know I have a fabric problem. Haha. So without further ado, let’s traipse through there…
First I saw the bleached version of our dining room curtain fabric (Kanjhali Peacock by Robert Allen) and I loved it! So icy and soft.
Next I was won over by these fun imperfect polka dot fabrics in a bunch of colors (so sorry, I didn’t get the name of these fabrics, so your best bet is just to search a site like fabric.com or Mary Jo’s online shop (or check out Mary Jo’s in person if you can).
I was completely in love with this velvet-y rainbow fabric. How perfect would that be in a nursery or kids room? Heck, I want it in my room.
And then there were the “cabinet of curiosities” fabrics as I’m calling them. They were so cool that all I could think about is how awesome a yard or two could be stapled to a giant canvas and framed and hung as art. Again, I wish I knew the maker of all of these, but your best bet is just to see what you can find in an online fabric store or head over to Mary Jo’s if you can.
Here’s the snake fabric up close and personal. How bad-arse is that yellow snake with the big pink spots? I love her.
This cool “pixelated” looking fabric was fun too. I loved the more grellow one down below.
And then there were these fun ginko fabrics in a bunch of colors. I thought yellow or navy would be awesome for some pillows.
And then there’s this guy. Orange, pink, yellow and blue ikat? Yes please! I got two yards. Strike up the fabric-purchasing band! Yup, I gleefully ran back to the car with two yards of this (marked down from $25 to $16 a yard). For anyone wondering, I do have the name of this guy since I took it home and it’s printed on the side of it. It’s called Ubud by Iman Home/Waverly and it can sell for up to $27 in other places! No idea what the heck I’ll use it for. Maybe a bunch of things (table runner, hall bathroom roman shade, upholstering a chair, who knows!). Will keep ya posted.
So there was the whirlwind that was window shopping when we were on the road to and from Haven! Next time I hope we have more time to stop at a few more places (some locals gave us some awesome recommendations that we’d love to check out someday). Where have you guys been window shopping? Any new fabric or houseware purchases lately? Or have you see anything at a store that inspired you to DIY your own take on it?
I’m feeling a trend of blurry patterned fabric. ;)
Haha- love me some ikat! I thought the colors of this one were unusual for us (pink and orange?! yes please!) so it should be fun to see where it ends up!
xo,
s
Loved the shout-out to Rachel’s Apothecary Table. Hilarious. I have a Pottery Barn Outlet 45 minutes from my house (one in Memphis). It’s dangerous, I tell ya.
The apothecary table from the period of Yore! Love that show. I can’t help but think of that episode every time I see you guys even mention Pottery Barn.
I’m thinking I need to locate a PB outlet and schedule a road trip.
I’ve always wanted to visit the PB outlet..maybe some day. But I have been to Mary Jo’s before – it’s a fabric lover’s dream.
I need to make it a point to make a trip there again someday!
I love lamp.
Excellent window shopping! I love the fabrics, especially.
I love the fabric you selected. I would have to use it for some pillow shams.
The hubby and I went to Clemson University so in the early 2000s, we spent many hours browsing through the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney. It was a cheap date!
I think the “cabinet of curiosities” fabrics are Design Legacy. I have a very similar hand printed linen with shells/blue heron. Fun trip, and amazing shopping self control!
I am obsessing over the….hahahaha “cabinet of curiosities” fabrics. Hahahha. Especially the one with the big butterfly and other bugs. It’s so hard to find non-cutesy fabric with LARGE butterflies that aren’t non-butterfly colors and glittered. Honestly, it is making me want to redo Greta’s entire room and use that fabric for curtains.
I’m doin’ it! …..as soon as I track that fabric down.
Try Mary Jo’s online site! I think they sell a lot of their fabric online too!
xo,
s
Found it! Looks like Design Legacy makes those cool fabrics (the snakes, coral, butterflies, veggies, etc) Here’s a link to them on Mary Jo’s in case anyone else is interested.
http://maryjos.com/store/search.aspx
Great find, Sherry!
Hey Sherry! I have been wondering this for a while – do you ever get yelled at for taking pictures in stores? I tried doing that a while ago at some stores when I was redecorating, and a manager told me I couldn’t take pictures inside. Have you ever run into that?
Oddly enough I do it right in front of people who work there with my big not-subtle camera and no one says anything. I tend to think it’s more common now for people to take pics since everyone has camera phones so maybe it’s just something people are getting less strict about?
xo,
s
Ikat, yessssssss! I vote roman shade … I didn’t know you could make your own and would love to see how!
I am obsessed with every single fabric in that picture with the polka dot ones. Obsessed. In love.
And that orange morrocan rug. I have a thing about that pattern lately. Can’t get over it. Never want to.
Nice finds on the fabric! And now I totally want to go to a PB outlet!
I love the fabric you bought! It would look great on a statement chair in bright fun room :)
Awesome post. The PB outlet close to us isn’t this cool. Thanks for the inside scoop on Mary Jo’s. I’m definitely headed there the next time I go to Charlotte to visit my cousin.
oh I love the blurry dots and the large scale hound’s tooth fabric!
Found the snake pattern! It’s by Design Legacy:
http://maryjos.com/fabrics/natural-snakes
Wahoo!
xo,
s
Yay, I’m so excited to see that you’ve been to Mary Jo’s! It’s pretty much amazing.
I was totally at that PB Outlet within a day or two of you guys. We picked up a set of art – 4 big map pieces that when put together lengthwise are a map of Manhattan.
I had that Avalon sheet set in my hand for soooo long…..kinda wishing I had bought it!
No way! What a small world!
xo,
s
We’re totally into Game of Thrones lately, too! We’re reading/watching them right now (well not now, I’m at work).
I just Googled… there’s a PB outlet in TX!!! Granted, it’s 6 hours away (halfway between Austin and San Antonio), but still. There’s one in Texas. It’s a start.
And I’m a sucker for ikat! That’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to see what you do with it. :)
The outlet mall in San Marcos is the best outlet mall on the planet…seriously. It’s one of the things I miss most about living in Austin.
Sherry,
I was just in Ikea and saw this new chair that reminded me of the Pottery Barn one that you loved. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20201682/ The back is a little taller and you’d have to add a cushion but the price is much better at $119.00. I loved it and wished I had a place to use it in my home.
Oh yes I live that!!
xo,
s
Love the references to Katie Bower’s new table! Too funny!
I am so excited to hit up Mary Jo’s when I visit my parents at the end of the month!
Those are two of my most favorite places. I used to live about 20 minutes from Mary- Jo’s. Then I moved to the mountains. But, just last week, I moved back toward Charlotte and am only about 35 minutes from there. I cannot wait to visit Mary- Jo’s and make my way back to Gaffney!!!
I’m from Canada, where the prices are higher, and the selection lamer. I would literally kill someone to have a PB outlet near me, or even a PB. I don’t know what’s more fun than shopping for home stuff – it beats out clothing shopping, cause you don’t have to get all dishevelled trying stuff on. I’m swallowing the big lump of jealousy in my throat.
Aw Ally, I hope a well priced PB Outlet pops up near you tomorrow. Wouldn’t that be awesome. Haha.
xo,
s
I actually bought that Khanjali Glacier fabric for curtains in my living room, from Mary Jo’s online. It was the cheapest price I could find for it. Everywhere else was twice as much!
Yes their prices are the best!!
xo
s
We Canadians may get House and Home magazine and Sarah Richardson on HGTV…but PB OUTLET??!! Sigh. I don’t know if I could restrain myself. Must look up closest outlet to the border and take a road trip…
Haha you do get the best mag and Sarah R! And Candice O too!
xo,
s
I don’t know which part of Canada you are in, but there’s a pb outlet in michigan, about 1.5 hrs north of Detroit. :)
I’m closer to the Lewiston crossing, but I checked out the store listings and there are a few within road trip distance, esp if I can convince the hubs on southern golf trip in the fall! Win-win :D
Love the window shopping! I’m curious about the velvet-y rainbow fabric and tried Mary Jo’s online and fabric.com, but struck out with my quick search. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about that fabric. Thanks!
Anyone have any info?
xo,
s
TOTALLY loving the “cabinet of curiosities” fabrics too, thanks to the commenters who shared the links!
Ahhh I of course love your taste in the fabric choice… I have been pining over this colour version: http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/newest+collections/iman+home/ubud+-+iman+home+fabrics+gem.do
Sadly, I am having trouble finding a Canadian source… bah! I look forward to seeing how you use your version!
So pretty! Hope you find a source soon!
xo,
s
I love these shopping entries… thanks. I am also from Canada and dream of going to Mary Jo’s someday- I have bought from their site, but I would love to visit. The fabric you bought is GORGEOUS.
I think your “pixelated” fabric is a “giant houndstooth” pattern, just so’s you’ll know for future reference :)
Totally possible! It was so cool in person!
xo,
s
that’s what I was thinking too and I am totally going to mary jo’s to get it for my new baby boy’s room. well the room won’t all be new, but i’m adding yellow to the existing nursery to make it more boyish for him! thanks for finding it!
That’s what I said as soon as I saw it. It’s a giant print of houndstooth which is actually a woven pettern in its original form so it is interpreting the overlap of the different color threads. It looks super rad!
I was in Anderson SC last August for my husband’s 20th reunion, not at all far from the PB outlet. Kicking myself for not insisting we go…he kept saying “we are flying – with carry ons! We don’t have room to buy anything!”. I should have stood up to my Debbie downer husband. ;-)
One of the few things I miss about my hometown is the Pottery Barn outlet! I used to get some great stuff there, and it was always fun to look around.
I’m the exact same way about Game of Thrones as I am about True Blood. Love/addicted to the books, can’t watch the show. Apparently reading about horribly gruesome things doesn’t bother me nearly as much as seeing them. Sigh, nerd for life.
Even when we had a Pottery Barn Outlet over here on the West Coast, the markdowns were nothing like this – so jealous! :)
P.S. Looks like there’s an extra “e” in “on-the-road-to-Atlanta-and-back.”
Thanks Mona! All fixed!
xo,
s
How timely – I am planning a weekend trip to PB outlet here in Ohio! Last time I scored a deal on a Morgan duvet cover ($79!) that should not have been there. It is still selling for full price online! Here’s hoping lightning strikes twice.
And I would be b-r-o-k-e if I ever went to Mary Jo’s. I am instituting my own pinterest challenge to use up my existing fabric stash before I but any more. One day at a time!
Just curious – what are the other stores the locals told you about? I live in Raleigh so these places aren’t too terribly far from me. Wondering what else was recommended in the area to you. Thanks!
If you search the comments for our post about Haven there were some awesome suggestions. I think if you search “haven” in our sidebar that post comes up first.
xo,
s
Looooove the fabrics!
Cute nod to Titanic (“I’ll never let go”). :-) These excursions remind me of what Julia Cameron calls “artist’s dates”; she writes about creativity. She encourages this kind of outing by yourself on a regular basis, just you and your environs (museum, park, store, etc…). What a nice prompt to do this more. Thanks!
They used to have a PB outlet in Virginia (Leesburg), which sadly closed down. That was MAJOR letdown :(
Oh yes that was so sad!
xo,
s
Hi, Sherry!
Do you happen to remember the name of the PB chandelier that looks like tree branches (or a bird’s nest)? Thanks!
I wish! Maybe try their regular site? Sometimes it’s still on there too…
xo,
s
ooooh…this was fun to read!
i purchased the first ikat pattern awhile ago for pillows on my making-it-work, hand-me-down denim (sigh) couch. and then framed the scraps and incorporated them into my gallery wall (inspired by you guys!) :)
Sounds so cute!
xo,
s
Looks like you had fun! I *think*/hope we’re getting a PB Outlet in the new outlet mall a few minutes away from us. I am so excited!
I am planning on taking a little road trip soon to go to PBO, Mary Jo’s and Ikea. That is going to be one awesome day! :) And I’m not taking the hubs or the kids!
Do you recall about how much the 8×10 rugs are at PBO?
They’re all different. We’ve seen them for $200-$500 usually.
xo,
s
awww LOVE Fabric and red stool , I have green stacking chair and stool , can i can spray paint them ??
I think so, just make sure to buy spray paint with primer in it that’s meant for that material.
xo,
s
My little girl has the Penelope sheet set! We love it! I’m so glad to know you love it too!
I have to tell you that the vanities at Pottery Barn are pretty much identical to the ones I’ve found through Kitchen Bath Collection via Amazon. I bought this one for half of the price of its Pottery Barn cousin, and it came with the marble countertop and the faucets.
http://spaghettiarms.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-04T14:20:00-07:00&max-results=7
I love the Window Shopping posts! Makes me want to drive to Georgia for some outlet shopping!
Awesome tip!
xo,
s
Get out!!! I was pining over that same Ikat fabric a couple of months ago! (I blogged about it here –
http://29ruehouse.blogspot.com/2012/05/fabric-shopping.html )
I passed on it but I still think about it. Maybe I’ll have to go back and see if they still have it – it was 6.98 a yard!
Wow! That’s awesome!
xo,
s
Oops, I think this is the correct link to my vanity, sorry: http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a2dd04b3127cceffe7e19c6d1400000030O19Acs27hs0cg9vPho/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=1/rx=550/ry=400/
Pretty!
xo,
s
OMG – loving Game of Thrones! We binged on the first season and watched it all in one weekend. Got through the second season in normal time (every week) and I’ve started reading the books as well. I’ll be spackling our bathroom and find myself daydreaming about Jon Snow and Arya and what’s going to happen in the next book…Just a little obsessed, but getting so into the books definitely infringed on blogging time. Thank goodness I finished and we’re back on track with posts and bathroom renovations!