Pottery Barn Launches In The UK

As American culture continuously seeps through our screens and into our lives, now you can officially enjoy your American-made TV show with your American-made snacks in the comfort of your all-American sofa. In case the name is ringing a bell, on our side of the pond Pottery Barn is probably best-known for its appearance in Friends (‘The One With the Apothecary Table’ season six episode 11), in which Rachel successfully convinces the chain-store averse Phoebe that her new wooden chest from Pottery Barn is in fact an antique find, coming up with increasingly intricate backstories for the non-vintage pieces. As a result of its TV stardom, Pottery Barn has secured itself as one of those legendary yet untouchable American brands (In-N-Out Burger, Olive Garden, American Girl Dolls to name a few) removed from the eager reach of the British people by the span of the Atlantic Ocean. 

How To Get Your Hands On Pottery Barn Homeware In The UK

If, however, you do want to live the all-American dream (over-sized timber clad home in the suburbs, decked out in Pottery Barn, stars and stripes flying out front) then you too can now transform your home into the ever-optimistic and brightly lit style of the American sitcom with Pottery Barn’s new UK launch. 

First opened in 1946, the brand is renowned for combining antique aesthetics with boho styles – so convincly antique that Phoebe was firmly fooled by Rachel’s purchases. From its oversized sofas to its polished sideboards, Pottery Barn has established itself as an essential American institution: with the rustic feel of the US wilderness and the elegance of its big cities. Despite not introducing any specifically anglophilic designs as part of its UK launch, there is a surprising Britishness to the collection that could work equally as well in a cosy cottage as a London townhouse. With plaid tableclothes, plates painted with pheasants and foxes, chintz florals and woodland greens, you could be easily fooled that the products were custom-design with an English country house in mind.

‘I think there are common denominators because there’s this beautiful informal look that Pottery Barn has always been able to serve up,’ Pottery Barn president Monica Bhargava told The Times. ‘We call it comfortable, casual – you might call it cottagey.’

While the oh-so American brand name may conjure images of a ramshackle jumble sale, the prices of the collection tell a more sophisticated story, with its Sausalito Cane Sideboard putting you back up to £2,199. Defining the Pottery Barn look, Bhargava explained that it’s all about comfort, style, quality, and building memories. ‘We are a lifestyle brand and we believe homes are a canvas for living,’ she told House Beautiful. ‘We create products and environments that are inspirational and aspirational. We invite our customers to dream and to have their own authentic expression. Helping to transform homes with timeless style, modern classics, whimsy, and a twist on tradition.’

Where To Buy

Having launched its UK website last week, you will also be able to explore the brand in person come October when it will launch a pop-up in West Elm’s store on Tottenham Court Road. The pop-up will feature Pottery Barn’s autumn collection, which the brand describes as ‘whimsical woodland prints, grounded in autumnal greens and checked patterns’. And if you’re unable to make it to London in time, the chain will also be launching in John Lewis departments stores across the country later this year. As well as their timeless interiors, Pottery Barn will offer complimentary design services to customers looking for personalised interior styling assistance both at home and online.

Discover more at potterybarn.co.uk