CB2 FALL 2024: BEST & WORST
Welcome! Overall, I think the fall CB2 2024 collection has a few stand-outs and some big misses. CB2 is a popular furniture and home decor retailer in the United States. It’s the modern sister brand of Crate and Barrel. Price-wise, I find that they’re generally in a mid to upper price point, similar to Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel (less than Restoration Hardware but more than Ikea). Style-wise, CB2 is one of my favorite furniture retailers in that price point.
Without further ado - here are my picks for the ten worst and ten best pieces from the fall 2024 collection (in no particular order).
WORST
(1) Rodez Sofa
The back rouching is subtle enough that it doesn’t look intentional - it just looks like the fabric stretch wasn’t properly suited to the sofa form. There’s nothing innovative about this sofa, and I find the oversized rolled arm detail reminds me of bad 90s sofas.
(2) Lazar Sofa
While I love the shape of this daybed, the leather and fabric combination feels off. The light fabric has a graphic linen texture, which I would not pair on the same furniture piece because their qualities are so vastly different. It’s worth noting that you can get the daybed all in one leather to avoid this pairing.
(3) Gleam Crystal Pendant Light
I can just see this in a 80s McMansion foyer. The bright brass and crystal could have been done in a modern way, but this CB2 fixture is just as fussy as the original light fixtures in this style. Here’s an example of a light from that era.
This lamp is just as tacky as the chandelier.
(5) Dzen Wall Art
Look, I love a white piece of art more than the typical person. But this looks like someone was in the middle of mudding drywall and couldn’t be bothered to finish. There are better all-white pieces out there, I promise!
(6) Ra Hat and Wig Stand
There’s nothing offensive about this per-say, but it feels like it’s most suited to a retail shop display. If you have enough space to use hat stands, then I envy your closet.
(7) Marguerite Sofa
The extra legs! This screams “I’m modular!’ What would be best in this scenario is to have a three seat section and a corner section instead of a two-seat, a one-seat, and a corner. When you have a piece of furniture with a clean, minimal shape, the details are extremely important.
(7) Gila Black Vase
The scale and spacing of these wabi-sabi dots would not pair well with most flowers. At least it’s all black, but I guarantee you’ll be seeing these at Goodwill in a few years.
(8) Neutro Rug
This rug looks like a cast off from a broken weaving machine. I think this could look okay if it had a more subtle fade where the pattern is broken. Or you could just remove the distressing and make this a clean diamond pattern rug.
(10) Forte Bello Bench
This leather storage bench is giving “Costco” special vibes. Channeled and tufted leathers are difficult to prevent from looking cheap.
Best
(1) Kamari Oak Wood Bed
This bed is actually quite lovely. My only critique is that the curved corners are composed of separate pieces of wood, so you can see the harsh lines where the pieces stop and start. A continuous veneer for a seamless look would be more fitting of the curved shape.
(2) Egan Nightstand
I see some art deco and art nouveau influences in the beautiful long brass pulls and curved shape. I think this piece would be right at home in a luxurious, classic bedroom.
(3) Scatola Burl Coffee Table
I love the simplicity of the shape paired with the burl wood texture. Burl wood is not something you see every day, and is a distinct pattern that can be difficult to pair with other pieces.
(4) Stick and Stones Wall Art
This piece has what I would call a modern floral vibe, with the mix of pinks, purples, and greens. It’s abstract, yet detailed, and has a nice sense of movement.
(5) Black Snake Fireplace Andirons
These are just cute and subtle, and they make me want a fireplace. I love when utilitarian objects can become something decorative as well.
(6) Melani Dome Lamp
This is such a new classic. It’s a riff on a vintage dome lamp, and the offset of the dome under the support arc is to die for. It comes in a polished nickel and brass.
(7) Polaris Globe Pendant
I find that spherical bulb fixtures are overdone and can start to look the tiniest bit tacky because there are so many cheap interpretations. I think the brass hat elevates the pendant and makes it a little jewel that can be added to your space
(8) Enoki Sandstone Wall Sconce
This is gorgeous, and I think this is the epitome of ‘quiet luxury’. I would use this piece like an art piece, as I don’t think it would give off considerable glow.
(9) Cupla Cabinet
The Cupla cabinet is a simple cabinet whose small footprint would be useful in many settings. White oak is such a versatile and classic wood choice, and the starburst veneer is a delightul ornamentation detail.
(10) Argyle Bello Black Leather Bench
The Argyle bench is a minimal modern bench with beautiful half circle metal legs. Melbourne-based design studio VUUE, the designer of this bench, is also responsible for several other CB2 pieces.
