I don't cover every single designer + mainstream retailer collab. I peruse all of them (out of curiosity and a sense of duty to report if something special turns up), but most just have one or two standout pieces, and I try not to shill for big box retailers unless there's a paycheck involved (but I'm not above selling out! West Elm, call me!).
However, I saw the latest Pierce and Ward collection for West Elm yesterday and was genuinely excited. I want to share the pieces that got me giddy, the ones I’m taking to the checkout, and the ones that I’d pass on (and the vintage swaps I’d buy instead).
As someone who has been trying to work up the balls to purchase a Studio Ford quilt for the end of our bed (the prices are astounding — don’t look), you can sure as shit believe that seeing $260 on the quilts from the Pierce & Ward collection feels like a STEAL. Turns out if you imagine buying a $600 blanket long enough, a $300 one suddenly feels downright cheap.
And before you say “Delaney, there are much cheaper options for a blanket for the end of your bed!” please trust that I KNOW and I HAVE BEEN LOOKING. And none have struck the exact right size and color and pattern requirements I have in my head. (Though I could do a round up of the options that have come close — note to self).
I’m gonna order this geometric woven one (wool + cotton blend) and the striped vine one (cotton outer with a polyester fill) and see which looks better in our room.
There are a number of tramp art inspired pieces in this collection and I’m surprised we haven’t seen a mainstream retailer reinterpret this style given its popularity over the last 5+ years.
I’m not always bullish on reproductions of vintage styles — if you can afford (or slightly splurge to afford) the real thing, that would always be my recommendation. But in this case, given the uniqueness of the style and the ubiquitously steep pricing (antique tramp art works often sell in the hundreds), I’m excited to see these pieces in the collection. I think the brassy stars give them a Pierce & Ward stylistic twist and it’s nice these pieces are oak — not engineered wood + veneers (which wouldn’t wear well with something that has this many details and notches to it).
I’m giving myself a couple days to mull over the frames so I don’t make an impulse purchase (because my impulse was BUY BUY BUY!).
I’m so goo goo ga ga over this high contrast burl table. Super graphic and interesting and unlike anything else I’m seeing widely available. That’s what I want from a designer x retailer collab!
One thing I think Pierce & Ward does really well are those warm, grungy colors. There is a funkiness to their color pairings that is hard to get right. Same goes for mixing patterns in that clashing-but-pleasing way that’s so prevalent right now (see also: Heidi Caillier, Reath Design). I’m glad they’ve doubled down on offering lots of patterned throw pillows and bed linens. The richly layered look with nuanced colors is within reach.
The ceramic vases, the dishware, and this blanket stand (which made me laugh aloud — I feel like they are trying to GIVE quilt racks away at the antique malls around here, so I would certainly not be paying $300 for one) all get a polite “no, thank you” from me knowing I can find vintage pieces of the same vibe and more of a story.
I’m on the fence about the lamps. I was excited by the look of most of the ones in the collection, but am aware that if you’re going to spend a couple hundred dollars you can get vintage lamps that are just as quirky and fun.
Below, we’ve got:
57 vintage pieces that have the same feeling as the collection (if this can be found in one evening, imagine how much else is out there). Ceramics, dishware, lamps, furniture, decor items — all of it!
A link to even more pieces I saved while browsing in case that isn’t enough lol
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