Comments on: The Daily System from Pottery Barn

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:18:19 +0000

Okay, commenters, I’ve wasted too much time today patrolling these comments to keep the foul language and nasty grams at bay. I’m closing comments to this post. You can complain about your hatred for Pottery Barn to your friends or to the company directly, but you can no longer do it here. I promise never to write about Pottery Barn again. Ever.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:54:41 +0000

wow – hateful comments aside

I love this idea! I have a big wall in my kitchen that I want to make into a “home center” like this.

I would not use all the components and I would not buy it from PB. But I am glad to see this and will happily replicate it from my Ikea, garage sale, and thrift store finds.

Thanks for posting!

By: Maxwell

Maxwell — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:24:23 +0000

I see this only as an option and suggestion of how a wall could be organized into a family communication center. Of course it probably could be assembled and executed with other components from less expensive stores and be just as effective. Check online sources too. I bought a couple of chairs by Pottery Barn at a resale store for a 3rd of what they would cost new. I bought them for the price and the look not because they are from a certain company, but then I did the same with my watch by Versace more for the look less for the price. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

By: Amber Kostelny-Cussen

Amber Kostelny-Cussen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:15:03 +0000

I don’t find this helpful for most families. It’s not realistic and it does add a lot of wall clutter. I wouldn’t recommend it and I’m surprised you did. It would be great for someone who only owns 3 magazines and only gets 3 pieces of mail each day.

By: Nicole W.

Nicole W. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:57:50 +0000

I have a very organized friend who can manage one of those dry erase calendars because she plans ahead digitally for her family, but I need a paper one that has all the months to plan so I only have to record things once.

By: chrisck

chrisck — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:50:38 +0000

My main surprise is that you still get the catalog mailed to you instead of viewing the products online. I uncluttered by getting off most mailing lists for catalogs and have reduced my yearly recycling by a huge amount.
As for PB, I don’t buy from them because they are too expensive (though my very affluent sister does). The catalog or online store seems to have a lot more to offer than the stores. We have a PB at one of the malls in my city and I have been there a couple of times and was surprised to find the products kind of cheesey. Years ago I thought PB was fun, now I think they are just faux-funky. Why buy expensive shabby chic when you can get real vintage for less at estate sales and flea markets?

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:47:55 +0000

@Kathy — In our home we use an art gallery hanging system. You can read more about it here: http://unclutterer.com/2007/07.....k-clutter/

By: Anita

Anita — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:46:39 +0000

Interesting system, though I too think it’s overpriced.

However, I agree with Lori and others that no one’s forcing the entire system down anyone’s throat. Of course Pottery Barn and the like are going to encourage you to make big purchases in their stores! Of course there are other systems out there, and probably cheaper ways to build one, if you are DIY inclined! Erin was just pointing out one more system that’s come to her attention, which she thought some people might find useful. No need to jump down her throat about it!

For my needs, I think I’d be ok with just a corkboard ($4.99 at Ikea) and a small magnetic whiteboard (around $20-$30 at most office supplies stores I’ve been to). My keys, mail, and charging station already have good homes

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:45:23 +0000

I have a couple of these pieces that I hung in our kitchen in our last house. It made a wonderful shallow landing strip in the high-traffic area of a very large prone-to-clutter kitchen. Also, it was a great compromise between me needing to keep the countertop cleared and my husband needing things where he could see them.

By: Blair

Blair — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:14:12 +0000

Wow, hatred abound. Guess that’ll teach you to post anything about Pottery Barn and its ilk. Seems like the readers are more interested in the Ikea/Target price range.

I have 2 of these – the mail slot and key hook/shelf combo – and love them both. The bottom mail slot isn’t good for things like receipts, since it’s very narrow and they get shoved down to the bottom, but it handles a good amount of mail. It’s actually small enough that you’ll want to clear it out and deal with your junk fairly regularly. The key rack works great as a landing spot for my fiancee’s keys and purse, which used to just get thrown anywhere.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:11:56 +0000

Unforetunately, I also think this post missed the mark. And, I am a “rich white girl who often shops at PB”.

I just think these type of wall systems are a lot of visual clutter, the HDTV is completely pointless and this is very overpriced.

If they work for you, great, but I would be willing to bet the number of unclutterer readers that have one of these is very small.
What about the unclutterer staff – do any of them have these system installed?

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:03:38 +0000

Wow, Stephen sure is bitter… What a shame to feel so much anger that it becomes necessary to slam an organizing website writer for casual statements about a Pottery Barn catalog. Yikes.

I would bet a lot of readers on this site are not white and are not rich – organizing and decluttering can be of interest to everyone – regardless of income, race, gender, age, etc. Gees… you sure ruffled Stephen’s feathers today, Erin!

Keep up the great work – I love the inspiring ideas, decluttering concepts and storage solutions – with weekly highlights such as Workspace picture Fridays and Unitasker Wednesdays.

By: Rue

Rue — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:59:57 +0000

@Stephen I think your comment shows just as much cluelessness as you think Erin’s post does. You’re assuming that she’s a “rich white girl writing for a rich white audience” just like you said she assumed that most US households received the catalog. The problem is that your assumption falls into the category of a personal attack, whereas hers attacks no one. Is it a general statement that may or may not be true? Yes, but it certainly doesn’t appear to have offended anyone except you. If you like the blog, then read it. But there is absolutely no need to make rude comments about the people who actually write it.

At any rate, just because a lot of people don’t shop at Pottery Barn doesn’t mean they didn’t get the catalog. I get catalogs from places I don’t shop at all the time. I also go into stores, see the prices, and end up not buying anything. I’m sure there are quite a few people who have done the same thing at Pottery Barn.

ANYWAY!!

I think this system is a nice idea, but like most have said, the price is a hinderance. I also do agree with the person who said there’s just too much stuff in this. I could see getting a couple of pieces of it (like the calendar, mail holder, and/or post-it board), but definitely would not need the whole thing. It looks great though!

By: Catie

Catie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:59:46 +0000

I bought this for myself when I was in college – I waited until the end of the season, and everything went on sale (as it periodically does for Pottery Barn). I got a short rod, the mail/magazine holder, and the corkboard. It is now in our entry way (with a trash can below it) so when we walk in the front door, we can go ahead and sort through the day’s mail, pin coupons and invitations to the corkboard, and stick bills and magazines in the mail holder. It has prevented so much clutter in our lives and kept us very organized! I love it!

Also, I am glad I bought this system – I looked at others and this one was the most practical and pleasing to the eye. It also causes very little damage to the walls (great since we RENT our house). The rod screws into the wall with 1 screw on each end, and you slide the components into it. They have enough weight to sit flush against the wall, but since the rod is anchored with screws, it is secure. I HIGHLY recommend splurging for this system!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:51:42 +0000

I’ve wanted a system like that for years but wasn’t able to afford it. Plus, the spot where I wanted it had my thermostat and wall phone in the way.

With a scavenged bulletin board, some spray paint, cork, my dremel, calendar making “skills” and a purchase white board, I faked it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/1.....911556774/

To everyone that got upset about the cost of the PB system, if you like the idea, try to emulate it at a price point you think it’s worth. In my case, $13.

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:39:16 +0000

When I was a young married, I scoured all the magazines and catalogs I received for decorating ideas and items I liked but could not afford. I cut out the articles and I saved them. As I grew older I winnowed the clippings as my tastes changed and as I realized some of the ideas were impractical and as I fulfilled my desire for a few others. I’m now in my late 60’s and no longer have any clippings. I am thankful that I have more than I need of things I mostly like – although I gotta admit that I am secretly happy when something I spent a lot for and no longer like very much gets damaged so that I feel I can throw it away without a lot of guilt.

By: Erin Doland

Erin Doland — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:31:42 +0000

@Leah — Do you have a link to the similar Ikea system? I was just there over the weekend, I didn’t see anything like this.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:29:58 +0000

I love a lot of Pottery Barn things, but – ouch – they are so expensive for our family. I like to take their ideas and decor themes and recreate them in a more affordable fashion. A wall unit similar to this would be great to have – especially if you are managing schedules for multiple kiddos. You could put a sign above it that says “Mommy Central”

By: ATO

ATO — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:29:42 +0000

Yep, I agree that this is too expensive, especially when I could use my $100 blackberry for all my scheduling and reminders, and it fits in my pocket, vs. this that costs $500+.

By: mdm

mdm — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:27:41 +0000

To Erin and Steven… Think Steven could have been a little more diplomatic in his comments, but think he makes some valid points. Think Pottery Barn is vastly overpriced for the quality and it is marketing to a certain socio-economic status. Decluttering and organization is for everyone regardless of income. I love that this site provides those ideas. And yes to Lori’s point about taking the idea and run with it on one’s one. I often do that. Kudos to the poster who suggested the Ikea idea.