Got an email this week from Jonathan Adler appropriately titled: “Liven Your Loo.” How do those advertising campaigns always come exactly when I need them? I was just thinking this morning how very dull our downstairs bathroom is. It’s our guest bathroom, and it’s one of the few spots in the house I’ve yet to tackle. I’m still thinking about color scheme and trying to find ideas…
How quirky and cool would one of these rugs be?
Being that I’m ALWAYS on a budget, I decided to check out what else Jonathan Adler had to offer me at this “bath sale.”
Love the rugs….I get the price tag on those ($88). I wouldn’t pay that much for a bath mat but I get why someone else might: they’re one-of-a-kind!
However, the more I perused the site, the more I wondered if I could find affordable equivalents at one of my usual haunts…..say….Target?
Target carries designer items….certainly I could find something there. Well, friends, you know I did! Target’s version was their own basic brand “Room Essentials.” Not designer, but my in humble opinion, comparable.
JonathanAdler.com
No comparison you say? Well, maybe this one’s a stretch. The Jonathan Adler version is better looking. I’ll give you that. But stay with me for a moment: remember we’re talking about bathroom accessories here. I won’t remind you what goes IN TO the trashcan. When you remember its’ primary function, the materials and finish don’t quite seem to matter as much.
Check out this close call:
This $48 bath tray reminds me of the story, The Emperors New Clothes.
The difference between the above bath trays (besides the glaringly obvious difference in price) is materials. Target’s tray is made with plastic, J.A’s with acrylic.
Do you think your bathroom items will notice the difference? Do you think your guests will turn the tray over to determine it’s maker? Um…no.
Will your bank account notice the difference? It certainly will.
My little adventure in comparisons this week serves as an excellent reminder that you don’t have to spend gobs of money to dress up a room. Don’t be a dumb diva. Shop around. 😉 A friendly reminder from my home to yours.
midcenturyobsession 
Great comparisons. I like the Target trays a lot. I had a really disappointing Jonathan Adler experience via JC Penny that I am contemplating writing up. I hate to be negative but it was kind of an amazing FAIL.
I’d write it up. One thing to be negative…it’s another to voice a justified complaint or concern.
Thanks for encouraging me. I tried not to be too nasty but the whole thing was so irritating.