I'm not. And I need to tuck 2 under a small console table because when every we have extended family over, we never have enough seating forth birthdays, etc.
I like the mirrored silver version as well as the turquoise and the green.... just can't decide.
I know we have seen a lot of these in magazines. And they always seem to credit Mecox Gardens when you can look forward to paying $450 or more each. This ebay seller offers for $90ish each including shipping.
Thoughts? Love? Hate? Overdone? Still fab?
At that price, even if I make a mistake I can park them in the backyard, their natural habitat, I suppose.
Opinions please.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Are we over garden stools?
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36 comments:
Love these! I say go for 'em. At the very least, they are a splendidly useful piece of furniture.
However, I'm not a huge fan of the mirrored silver ones - they're so goddamn shiny they look like plastic.
I'm totally not over them, in fact, I'm searching for one to put in my decorative fireplace (i'm thinking red). Check out gumps -- they have a great selction....
They have very pretty ones at Target right now. They are a green glazed finish and cost around $85.
These would look great pulled up to a skirted table.
I love the mirrored silver ones! How perfect in my Room of Mirrors! Dial me up a couple.
(They do look a little plastic but what the hell.)
decorno- you bet me to this post- i was going to do a post on the white ones i just saw at target for 69.99 (with a similar "over it?" theme, i might add). so don't hate me for copying you, 'kay?
Garden stools are like bentwood dining chairs, Oriental rugs, tansu chests, club chairs, those plain swing-arm lamps Billy Baldwin loved, and large mirrors over fireplaces. They can be abused, and they can go through phases of being overly much in one's face -- but they're never truly OUT.
They'll be fine, once you cover them in big, flouncy suzanis with 36-inch puddles.
I love them not only because they are hella-cool-looking, but also because you actually NEED them (extra seating). And to me, it's never a bad idea to incorporate something you need into a home. Form follows function.
NO NO NO!!! Don't cover them in suzanis!!!! NO! Cover them in pea colored shapeless ugly skirts. Wait - what happened to lemmingboy - I liked that name better.
Seriously - Target has them for $69??? It galls me when I go into a store and see them for $500 and I swear - they're out there for that kind of money. ok, I confess, I love these too. I have three right now, 2 in the den and 1 in the garden - all exactly the same, blue and white. I know they're a trend on a downward spiral but they're so functional and cute! Actually just about everything I own is a trend on a downward spiral.
I believe classics never go out of style - just use in moderation as with strong perfume. BTW I hated that MR table skirt. Power to the People!
Hey Jackie, you're welcome to play with my balls under a table skirt anytime. Btw, I said Miles Redd is a genius, not a god. While Miles may not have cured cancer (yet!), at least his rooms don't cause severe retinal burn like Buatta's.
What is ideal about the garden stools is you can drag them outside for the summer and forget about them. They weather beautifully and a little wipe with a cloth and they can be pulled back in for all the company that starts arriving in the cooler weather.
I asked Jennifer at Peak the same thing a few months ago (we all need a little reassurance every now and then) she and I agree - if you love it, get it. And they are handy.
Sue:
Here in Asia, garden stools are a classic.
Yes, I love them too. I cant' imaging paying $450 US for one though...they're cheap and plentiful in the land of Hong Kong! I have a green one that sits under my bed side table to keep my stash of books and magazines on top.
so not over... i have a friend who even has one in her shower as a shower seat
I just bought a pair of the white ones at Target for $55 each with a coupon! I don't care if they are "over" because I totally LOVE them!
Go for the silver!
I think if you love 'em,they are timeless.As a trend item,it is past.In my world,I find them far more useful as small tables,not extra seating....but maybe everyone I know has bony butts & the bad manners to complain?
yes, garden stools have definitely been done in plenty of magazines but i think they look great in a room and the silver one makes even the most common garden stools envious.
A few weeks ago, a popular design blogger wrote that she really loved garden stools, What caused her to write about this love? The answer: the garden stool shown in the picture below.
I'll admit, it's not the worst garden stool around. There's a lot that is unobjectionable about it: the stool's color for one thing. The blog about this garden stool started a very lively debate. Everyone, every single person, who left a comment agreed - the garden stool was just fine. The discussion centered around whether there was a love of all garden stools outright, or rather just this particular version alone. Oh, the love! - People marveled at what could be hiding under the garden stool? Why use that porcelain? What's inspired the garden-stool-user Miles Redd?!!?? One person proudly admitted to owning a garden stool just to hide his jumbled stereo wires.
There was just one brave person who disagreed with everyone about garden stools and left a comment denouncing them. That person? Of course, it was me. You see, I deplore garden stools...
actually nouveau Asian is making a HUGE impact right now, so those $90 stools are a great buy! I may just have to snag a few myself!
I love them--use them all over! They look pretty versatile!
Please give my blog a visit--yours is super!
http://daysmissedonahammock.blogspot.com/
I have to say I still love these- especially the silver!
Totally NOT over and I'm OVER how everything is all of a sudden "OVER" - ever since that NYT piece, which I completely get but STILL! I'm sure you understand but perfect example is Habitually Chic, whom I LOVE, recently wrote, to some degree, ...people were over Tony Duquette...geez, I just bought the book, how can he be over and a book published 2 months ago? I just discovered him! Same w/coral & the curiosities book - I LOVE coral & I love that book so I'm keeping them out regardless of who says I can't! Sorry, had to get that out of my system but I do love these stools, have one, use it exactly for the times you stated but I have it next to a chaise. BUY 2! Love your blog!
Bill - I *love* your comment and totally agree... totally, totally, totally....
here are two related posts that everyone should check out (especially related comments) if you haven't already:
http://maison21.blogspot.com/2008/01/love-it-or-hate-it-mass-design-makes.html
http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2007/12/design-police.html
I really like the shiny silver stool. West Elm did have them, I attempted to order one but alas... it was too late as the chrome one was sold out :*( West Elm has them in several colors for about $150. If Target has them in white for $69! Wow that's a deal! I love the blanc de chine look as well. I view the stools as classics and they serve for form and function.
Bill:
It's too late. We will be at your door at 7:00 a.m. to collect all coral.
It's over. Resistance is futile.
Thanks Decorno for the Maison21 link! A new blog to add to my favorites!! ...and I JUST bought 2 of those temple jars @ Target and they are HOT!
Last year, I was looking for one or two to slide under a side table and found a really nice one in a store for $28. The porcelain, antique ones are one thing, but I don't like that new, ceramic garden stools are so pricey at some shops.
I think they are on sale through west elm right now.
At Pier One they are actually paying people to take them.
Hey Decorno (what the frick is your *actual* name?),
This black one is on sale at Tar-jay for $30 right now:
http://www.target.com/Porcelain-Stool-Black/dp/B000ULOAR8/sr=1-2/qid=1200865838/ref=sr_1_2/601-3093295-9717753?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Aceramic%20garden%20stool&page=1
There's also a mossy green one on Target.com for $10 more -- I wonder if there are more color choices (at these discounted prices) in the stores?
Leah
Personally I like the glazed jade green ones. There is a nice little post here on this Chinese antiques website which explains the differences between all these different styles of Porcelain Garden Stools - apparently not all garden stools are created equal which is what explains the variations in price!
I think they have a timeless quality. They offer something stylish, sturdy, functional and old world. I have three in various places throughout my home.
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