West Elm just went Hollywood, thank god.
Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011 499 Comments My life just got easier. Those of you who have been to LA understand the traffic we all talk about endlessly. It's career-changing, socially debilitating and unbelievably frustrating. You schedule your day around the traffic, you write off people instantly as friends if they live more than 10 miles away, and people even have beach houses when they live 20 miles away from the house - it feels that far away. You have to live by your friends or break up with them (true story) in LA, and when going to 'the west side' or 'Santa Monica' we 'Eastsiders' must bring provisions - blankets, food, extra phone charger, emergency kit - that 18 mile drive can take you an hour on a good day - so a round trip? at least 3 hours.
Going to West Elm in Santa Monica (at the 3rd street promenade - a big super busy mall, no less) has always been something that we do because we need West Elm pieces, but we had to plan a day trip - or send the newest intern. In fact, i have purchased online and shipped to my house MORE than i have bought physically at the store. Sure, if you live on the west side, you were golden, lucky you. But us that live inland had a hard time.
Sad story, i know.
Well, folks, West Elm is coming to Hollywood, opening tomorrow. S'Right. It's now in the middle of where i shop daily. Which will be bad for my bank account but good for my clients. And Thomas O'Brien designed the store - smart move by West Elm, because that dude is a design genius - look at his house:
The last year on the show specifically i have used a lot of West Elm, so i thought i'd recap all the major West Elm moments (not so much the pillows and accessories, that would take forever). Stay tuned for a major giveaway at the end.
Silver Martini Table, its pretty much a West Elm classic at this point.
Whoops, another martini table, although white this time $129 (these episodes were 9 episodes apart, by the way)...And check out the owl lamp behind it. $99
Glass Jug lamp, $149
Pebble Rug, 8x10 $649
Petra Table Lamp, on sale now for $79.99
Andalusia Rug, $549
Cream chevron rug, but i don't think its available anymore.
Cream Chevron rug again, whoops, apparently i like that one a lot. Oh and that's the Eyelet bedding, too, which i'm not sure if its still available, but the 'Pin Tuck' is one of my favorites.
And those awesome 'Long Arm' sconces. $149
Recycled Denim Jute Rug.
Safari Rug. I'm so glad they are selling this rug still, I forgot about it, but its surprisingly neutral, in an edgy way.
Sheepskin Rug (although couldn't find it available on the site).
And in the holiday special (pictures off limits til it airs November 25th) there is a huge new rug, and ton of christmas ornaments, a terrarium, pillows, etc.
Clearly i'm a frequent buyer.
Anyway, to reward me for being such a good little shopper, they have invited me to be a 'Special Guest' at their big opening party next month, with some of my new and old favorite bloggers and friends:
So basically i get to hang out in a store i love, sip wine with my friends whilst portions of what i buy go to charity? It's like asking Snookie if she would like to go tanning. Of course, i'll do it.
PLUS, then i get to ask fellow HGTV host, Carter Oosterhouse why, oh why are there so many 'O's in his name, .....and where are you sailing to, Mr. Oosterhouse? Come Back!
Stand back, ladies. He's taken by Amy Smart now, who i have always loved since 'Felicity'. Ah, Noel.
To celebrate my new easy life of never having to go to the 3rd street promenade again i'm giving away 5 of my gift pics from West Elm today. S'right, the holidays just came early. FIVE!!! (check out the holiday guide for all my other gift pics)
Schmidt Brothers Starter Knife Set, One day, when i learn to cook i'm going to use these to cut food things.
Ceramic Pig Speakers I own this and its great because its super portable - no chords into the wall, and the sound is WAY better than i thought it would be, plus its a pig and pigs are inately very funny.
Monogrammed Laptop Case (if you don't have a laptop i'm sure you can take it back for an ipad case)
Lacquer Jewerly box - every girl needs this.
So yes, one lucky winner gets all five of these gifts. If I was you i would keep them, but they make pretty great gifts so you can always give them away to a lucky friend, too.
Just leave a comment on this page - tell us what your all-time favorite West Elm piece is. Mine might be the martini table because its just so versatile. But i'm also a huge fan of their new Bliss Sofa (i've previously been more into their textiles and accessories, but their new furniture is hitting the spot).
Reader Comments (499)
I have their pintuck and parachute bedding and LOVE them.
My favorite West Elm piece is EVERYTHING! Haha but I really do love their quirky accessories. SO CUTE!
I love it all! So lovely.
I LOVE the safari rug - but I have a history of rug lust...
I would love to be done with my holiday list as a result of this awesome contest!
xokate
My favorite west elm piece is their new mercury glass owls!! so cute! :)
I love the white owl lamp! West Elm has great furniture too!
I'm not sure I can pick an all time favorite. Lately, I've been loving their mother of pearl boxes, because they are gorgeous (and I'm in desparate need of cute accessories for my place).
I absolutely love that safari rug you used. I have been looking for something just like that for my living room!! :)
I think I may love EVERYTHING at West Elm, however, those ceramic pig speakers are to die for!
I love a lot of things but that Andalusia rug is my very fave!
It's so hard to narrow it down to one favorite! Right now though it would have to be the Essex Upholstered Bench.
I love the martini table also! I also like their pillows.
I like the striped sheet set--I might pick them up today, now that they're available in blue!
What do I love? Wow! Everything. I have the Terra table and leather chairs by West Elm. I also have the globe pendant in our stairwell. Lovely accent! West Elm goes well with my modern vintage style! Thanks Emily!! I love your show!!!!!
The items that I love change seasonally...that's what I love about West Elm! Their pillows are lovely :-)
I love everything West Elm has to offer, but I especially die and die again over their rugs and lighting. But... I also drool ever so much over the furniture and textiles. It's painful to try to think of a favorite West Elm item. It's taxing my brain, but I would say it's the industrial bath cabinet.
Do I have to pick just one!?! I love the Parsons Desk and of course all of their accessories.
I dunno if I can pick a favorite...I love the sweep chair, anything mercury glass....and I've been stalking the martini tables.
Currently swooning over two chrome industrial task lamps for a table behind our couch. We need to get our reading on!
I love pretty much everything from West Elm, but I'm going to have to go with the Andalusia rug as my favorite piece. Sooooo gorgeous.
I love me some West Elm owls of all shapes and sizes! Keep em coming, they never get old.
Their owl measuring cups and hive vases are the cats meow.
True story.
The cream chevron rug, which I have and LOVE.
I love so many items from West Elm, but I would have to say my all time favorite is their Parsons desk in polished white!
I just put their greenhouses on my Christmas list ... so I'd probably say that's my current favorite. Thanks!