Friday, March 20, 2009

Let's Go To The Ballard Outlet!


I went to the Ballard Outlet last week looking for some new slipcovers for my Parsons Chairs and brought my camera because I thought you guys might like to see what it looks like.


Who doesn't love the European inspired Ballard Designs Catalog!! We actually have two outlets here in the Atlanta area. Oh and just because it's an outlet doesn't mean that everything is super cheap! It's still ridiculously expensive in my opinion. They do send out postcards now and then that you can use for X% off. Also, on the window is usually a sign that says today extra 15-30% off of whatever.



The music ribbon was originally $12.00 now $6.99. The moss ball was originally $10.00 now $5.99. I bought the ball. I wanted two but all they had left was one.



They used to be pretty good about discounting their chair slips but I guess now they think they're selling them at a such a good price they don't need to discount them. So they had slips but they're full price!



I don't know...I think that's just too much animal print for me!




Their Thurstan Wing Chair in their Dafne fabric was originally close to $1000 (with that fabric) and now is marked down to $712.99.





That chalkboard is a cute idea and I'm sure it's easy enough to duplicate!




I was so excited when I saw these harlequin hat boxes....until I looked at the price that is! I can't remember what they cost I just remember saying to myself "are they crazeee!" I think they're $39 or $49.



These distressed iron flowers were $49.50 in the catalog and $19.99 here. I bought one. Although I don't know where to put it!!


Letters! These CAFE letters were originally $129 in the catalog! How crazy is that! You can buy paper mache letters at Hobby Lobby and cover them with scrapbook paper yourself for a fraction of the cost!




Some other letters covered in sheet music and antiqued.




This little area had walls that were upholstered in toile fabric. You know I loved that!




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Just a few Halloween and Christmas things left.




Interesting lampshade.




Sigh...this mirror is just what I need in my foyer!





It was fun to go and look but most things were way more than I'd want to spend. But I have been to the other location in Roswell on a Saturday when it's packed and people are lined up at the registers!

So now you've all been to the Ballard Outlet. What do you think?

I'm out planting stuff today and tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!


41 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing this! Ballard's is one of my favorite stores (everything but the prices)! Usually I try to copy their style with Target clearance items or Goodwill finds.

Love your blog:D

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

When I saw the title of your post on my sidebar my heartbeat went up. I didn't know there WAS a Ballards outlet. How lucky for you! I love everything they do! It's too bad the prices are still so high. It's probably a good thing there isn't one by me, I would be talking myself into all of those wonderful things and my husband would not be pleased!

It looks like a wonderful place to visit!

XOXOO
jen

GlorV1 said...

Hi Manuela. What a great store. We don't have one of those here. Lots of great things there. I had fun at Ballard's. Have a great weekend, I'm planting seeds to.

Heather said...

fun store! it looks like you could get a lot of ideas from visiting that place.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I had always wanted to go to Ballards Outlet...thanks for taking me with you! I had hoped that their prices were lower....I get their catalogs, and you can get great ideas out of them and find a way to do it for less...

Happy first day of Spring!
xo
Penny

Adrienne said...

I really like Ballards... lucky to have outlets close by. I've been to 3 garage sales today... no luck though. I'd rather go to Ballards.

Unknown said...

I know u put those harlequin boxes in just to make me jealous.lol. Oh I would love to have a Outlet here. I getthe catalog, love to look at it for ideas, but i agree just to expensive. You would think cause of the economy they would clearance more... thanks for the shopping trip.. mishelle

Vee said...

Enjoy your planting and your weekend, Manuela.

Thank you for the field trip. I found it very interesting because it was so new to me. I've never heard of this company. It looks like a great place to visit to gather some good ideas. I expect to see some of them in your home one day.

Melanie@TheOldWhiteCottage said...

You know, I want to be jealous that you went to a Ballard Outlet, but I'm not because I'd be bankrupt if I went in there.

;-)

Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures!

Salmagundi said...

Looks like a fun outing to gather ideas! I know we will all benefit from your trip, as you share your creativity in the future. Sally

Betsy Brock said...

We have a Ballards Outlet about an hour away. I've been a few times. It is expensive, like you said. It's a great place for ideas to copy and once in a while, you can find a good deal! I love their big wall clocks. They had one marked way down because it didn't work. I brought it home and fiddled with it a little and it started working! Yea!

Susie Q said...

I adore your comment on the lampshade! LOL!

Holly said...

That was fun, but I'm glad I now know that I'm not missing much. Still way too expensive for me. I love to look at the catalog, though.

Beth at Aunties said...

How absolutely fun was tht trip? Thanks for taking us! I wish the Atlanta airport had an outlet in it! I tend to spend too many hours there people watching. I enjoy Ballard catalogs to window shop in. It would be fun to go to their outlet. Thanks for tip about scrap paper and letters!:-)

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I loved going shopping with you, and like you I have to get a great deal or I'm not buying! This was a fun post. Thanks for visiting my post and please don't be a stranger!

Tamara said...

I don't think they have Ballard Outlets or stores here in Washington - but it looks like a fun place to browse... I think those prices are crazy - definitely not keeping up with the "slowing economy" - if it isn't dirt cheap on clearance and a treasure that I can't live without it can't come home... but I was happy that you splurged on that pretty cream colored iron flower thingy - it will just make you smile whenever you see it - you'll find somewhere divine to put it I am sure! Love your blog!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks for the tour and there is so much eye candy. However, I am like you - there are way out of my price range.
Glenda

Nora said...

Wow those photos are great! Amazing inspiration. Love that you see things you like and think of ways to get it for less :)

Christina said...

I'm so glad you shared this. Though I live near Atlanta, I have never been there. Love the catalog. Lots of great ideas there.

Victoria and I went to Ikea today. Maybe next time we will go to BB.
Field Trip!

Cottage Contessa said...

Nice store, reminds me of one we have over here called Bay Swiss. Have a lovely weekend enjoying the spring weather in your garden!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Kelley said...

I am so jealous! I've always adored that catalog. Thanks for sharing the experience. I'll be visiting this post often for the adrenilin rush!

Lady Katherine said...

I love the white chest, the mirror is beautiful! I know you love the toile! Can't wait to see your chalk board, I know you are going to make one. lol I have a wine chalk board, we use a lot. The price were steep! So your not going to paint your chairs??? Just slip cover? I had two friends trying to get me to use my blue and white toile in my dining room. Which was where I bought it for. I been hanging on to the 20 something yards! Now I took the cloth off my sideboard and I love the milk paint blue. I do not think I can paint it a cream color. Plus my rug goes great with it. Can't buy another rug now. But toile may go to the dining I have time to decide. lol

Ally's Corner said...

Cool place. I have never been there. Didn't know there was a place around here.
Thanks for letting us see inside.

Anonymous said...

How fun..... loved going shopping with you. Love that music ribbon...... glad you found some things that weren't TOO high... we don't have anything like that ...
HUgs
Linda

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

I have always loved Ballard catalog, but too expensive for my for me! Thank you for the shopping trip to the outlet!

Sue said...

Thanks for saving me a trip to Ballards...I've been to the one in Roswell, where is this one?? I think their stuff is overpriced for the quality. Whenever I have been to the outlet the furniture is always all damaged in some way, doesn't look like it's made too well...but a great place to get ideas...You should be able to re-produce anything you see there with your talent...Have a great weekend. weather is suppose to be nice...Finally!!

Lorie said...

Looking at those pictures is painful! I am not lucky enough to have a Ballards, let alone a Ballards Backroom! I am green with envy! The store looks like SO much fun!

Chrissy said...

Looks like a store I would love...but I'm a huge budge, so I would end up looking more than buying! Have a great weekend!

Angie said...

I have a stack of Ballard's catalogs that I love to look through and get ideas, buy not to order from. Way too expensive for me too! I would love to go to this store!

Jenni said...

This was such a fun post! I don't think I have heard of this store, but I can tell why you love it! But I agree with you on their prices...it reminds me of a garden/home shop here in WA state called "Wights"~ it's full of gorgeous things that cost TOO much! But it's fun to look and get ideas! :) I hope you have fun planting! Have a beautiful weekend! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the shopping trip. I
enjoyed it. Isn't it amazing what
some people think is a sale!

Barb said...

Manuela, well....that was definitely a treat! Wow, I love that store. Thank you.

Barb

Rosemary said...

Wow!!
I love that catalog. Wish we had an outlet here.
Happy weekend!
Rosemary

Joyce said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bev said...

Thank you for sharing the information. I've always wanted to go to a Ballards Outlet, because I assumed that I would find incredible deals.

I'll quit worrying about it now!

Very interesting. I do love their things, though.

Free Art Printables said...

Oh my! I am soo jealous! How much was that mirror?
Are you doing potatoes again this year? Ia m but I am going to put them in sooner this time! :) Jen

Kelly B said...

That looks like a store I would enjoy going to for inspiration.... but I agree with you that their prices are a bit too high. Thanks for taking us there. We live in Northern Alabama and I am always telling my husband we need to go to Atlanta... if for nothing else the IKEA store. I might be able to get him to do it for our anniversary... :)

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you came home with lots of beautiful ideas for the days to come......

dixymiss said...

What a fun place to (window) shop! It sounds like even their "outlet" prices are a bit too steep for my budget, but what a fun place to get fresh inspiration. ThanX for sharing! I enjoyed the field trip. :-)

valthecraftygal said...

Thanks!! I enjoyed the virtual shopping trip!!

Melissa Antolovic said...

what a cool shop!