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What to Buy at Ballard Designs
When it was time to furnish my first apartment in Chicago over a decade ago, I turned to Ballard Designs for a few pieces for my home. Ballard Designs has been around since the 80s and has been expanding its footprint of bricks-and-mortars stores and has launched new stores all over the country. It is a great source for custom upholstery, furniture, and decor. I found myself shopping the sale for our dining chairs for our new home, and wanted to put together a post on my favorite furniture and decor. Whether you’re looking for a duvet cover, ginger jar, or a sofa, each traditional Ballard store has it all. So I thought I’d share my favorites with you.
What to Buy at Ballard Designs
If you’re not working with an interior designer but want to order custom accent chairs and beautiful home furnishings in custom fabrics, Ballard Designs is a great resource. Supply your own fabric and get exactly what you want. Visit their brick and mortar stores or shop online – I love the traditional design and the fact that I can get exactly what I want (in my favorite fabrics). The customization options are pretty endless and the design studio team will help you with decorating ideas. The customer service is fantastic, too, and their onside team of professional design consultants will help with all your needs. Ballard Designs stores are designed as a studio concept location to provide customers with eclectic furniture & decor and a streamlined process to decorate and furnish their homes.
Ballard Designs Furniture
So let’s start with furniture. Ballard is a great resource for custom upholstery. You can use their (many) fabrics or can do COM and provide your own. It’s so easy to order swatches and if you visit a store, can see their fabrics and some furniture in-person. Before I ordered our dining chairs, I stopped by Ballard Designs in Oak Brook to see the chairs, and to choose a fabric, too. Choose from a variety of prints, indoor and outdoor fabrics, and solids, too.
Parsons dining room chair and slipcover
We purchased these chairs for our new dining room (on sale). Not only are they affordable, but they shipped very quickly which isn’t common these days. The slipcovers needed a little steam, but the price can’t be beat, and I just love how easy they are to clean or even replace in case someone stains one.
Outdoor Furniture and Decor
If you’re looking for outdoor furniture, I can’t recommend the Giardino collection enough. We have this outdoor patio set on our front patio and it’s so beautiful. I love the European influence – it reminds me of something that belongs in a French garden. The Giardino collection is beautiful and sold out early last year. I love Ballard’s planters, too, and may need to order a few for our new patio and garden. Ballard has a variety of planters and outdoor decor, and even carries address plaques.
Olive Jar Planter
The classic shapes are based on jars used to store and ship Italy’s most iconic product. Use it for potted plants or on its own as a decorative object. Cast of composite stone and resin reinforced with fiberglass to resist harsh weather without cracking or fading.
Ballard Designs Decor
Ballard Designs is a great resource for decor. From trays and lighting to bedding and rugs, they have it all. I love Ballard’s baskets, mirrors, and bedding. I also purchased some hardware (these French rods) for our old bedroom and they are beautiful in person, and affordable, too.
Cornflower Fabric
I love a block print, and the Annie Cornflower Fabric would look beautiful on pillows, furniture, or drapes. The inspired floral pattern is printed in delightful shades of cornflower blue and leafy green on an ivory background.
Set of 3 baskets
These baskets are kind of a pain to stack perfectly but once you do, they really are lovely. I love the scalloped liners – they’re so sweet and perfect in a nursery. I would just plan on using them for things you don’t need to access too often.
Louis Mirror
Designed in the classic Louis Philippe style, the iconic rounded shoulders and squared base of our Louis Mirror is timeless and traditional. And once again, it’s very affordable.
Baskets
With their strong vertical lines and light natural texture, Ballard’s Terrazzo Baskets have a clean and airy look. The tall cylindrical shapes are hand woven in an elongated cross-hatch of natural rattan, and finished with sturdy, split rattan-wrapped loop handles. Fill them with blankets or toys – I love a good basket for chic and simple storage.
Sisal Rug
This area rug is jacquard woven in a richly textured fish scale pattern of natural sisal and jute. This sisal has a surged border for a tailored look that also helps to prevent the rug from unraveling. Vacuum regularly to provide the best care. Attend to spills immediately. Blot with a clean cloth to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Follow by wiping the area with a damp cloth if necessary. For stubborn stains, consult a professional carpet cleaner.
Lighting
The lighting is so good, and pretty affordable. The Frida chandelier is a solid dupe for one I featured in this post. We have a lamp in my daughter’s room, and I love all the pieces linked below.
Shop the Suzanne Kasler collection here.
Ballard Designs is part of Cornerstone brands – Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, Grandin Road, and RyllaceTM. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something using my links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
