West Elm

Do you own this business? Let us notify you when claiming and promoting begins.

On Apartment Therapy

Home Design

Apr 5, 2004

Country mouse gives birth to city mouse. West Elm was born a few years ago by the people at Pottery Barn, which is in turn owned by the people at Williams-Sonoma. The reason for the birth? No one had designed furniture for us New Yorkers, who all need smaller, more chic furniture than their suburban counterparts. Now into their third full season, West Elm is "classy", "much cooler than most of the stores", and has "affordable prices" (reporter GD). Indeed. Though a little stuck in last year's heavy Java wood style, the Elm has great prices that will please a student or someone looking to quickly furnish a whole apartment. Of particular note are their simple wood bedframes ($230 for queen), wood block table ($499) which makes a great desk, and super useful rolling storage shelves ($499). To repeat, the Elm is a great resource that, like IKEA, should not be used too heavily. Online, with a new store in Brooklyn. MGR

64 comments

Recent comments

I like West Elm for their lamps and accessories. Would I buy furniture from them? No. But like IKEA, they are a good source for the little things. Erin Lang Norris/Yellow Canoe on Sep 30, 2009

Just purchased/received a cut-out bookshelf from West Elm. Loved the look, hated the price (cost over $500 with taxes/shipping). The piece was shipped well, very protected, and for good reason. Once you start assembling the thing (directions were very good), if you LOOK at it wrong it will damage the wood. I slipped and a shelf fell onto the side of the bookshelf - it made a HUGE HOLE in the wood! Which was obviously hollow! My husband and I were horrified. Granted the wood would have been scratched or dented with normal quality furniture - but a hole?!? This stuff is not worth the price. It looks great, but I am wary of the day we have to pack up and move to a new home, if ever - this bookshelf will probably be shredded in the process. We can't believe IKEA is sturdier than this crap.

Also, if anyone wants to write to West Elm, here are some names and addresses. I am going to pen a letter to them as soon as I'm done here:

Dave M. DeMattei
Group President, Williams-Sonoma, Williams-Sonoma Home, west elm

Laura J. Alber
President

W. Howard Lester
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
3250 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109

Let them know how you feel, refuse to purchase their products, etc. ...this is the only way companies can improve and get REAL feedback (don't email, it usually goes nowhere) from customers. Likewise, if you love West Elm, do the same of course. :) Sandwhy on Oct 15, 2008