West Elm: New designs for fall 2013

West Elm previewed its new designs for fall 2013, providing a sneak peek at furniture, lighting and decorative accessories that will roll into stores during the next couple of months.

L.A. at Home writer Lisa Boone, producer Dianne de Guzman and editor Craig Nakano reviewed the store’s media “look book” and made picks for this new feature, the first in a series of thoroughly unscientific and overly opinionated overviews of mass-market home décor collections.

PHOTOS: First impressions of new West Elm designs

We’ll share our first impressions and invite you to do the same via reader comments.

Favorite pieces

MIAC rugs. The new collection of rugs created in collaboration with Santa Fe’s Museum of Indian Arts & Culture is refreshing. Rooted in Native American design, the five geometric rugs ($69 to $799) feel modern. The round Whirlwind jute rug is particularly nice. LB

Mid-Century desk. It looks midcentury modern without feeling too bulky, and it has decent storage space for office necessities. The price is not exactly cheap, but for those who cringe at paying $600 for a classic Wegner Wishbone chair, a $599 desk with a similar vibe looks good. And you won’t have to dig through a flea market. DG

Bergen sofa. Three cheers (OK, one cheer) for a piece of modern furniture that isn’t named after a “Mad Men” character. The scale, the seams and the lines of the armrests help the sofa (starting at $1,199) feel like an evolution of midcentury rather than a retread of it. I haven’t loved the quality of the cushions on some West Elm seating, so I’m curious to see how Bergen actually feels. CN

Value picks

Glass Jug table lamp. I have always been impressed with West Elm’s affordable lamps, and the Glass Jug table lamp ($169, including shade) is no exception. It’s true that stores are jumping on the Pantone green bandwagon -- emerald is Pantone’s color of the year -- I find this lamp’s hue to be fun and exciting. LB

Mobile chandelier. Here’s a light ($249) for those of you who have had a crush on designer chandeliers with this look but have found them to be wildly out of your price range. The movable arms are a plus. DG

Parker round table. West Elm’s rectangular Parker table will be coming out in round version (not yet on the store’s site) with a walnut veneer and a nice disappearing edge on the table top. At $499, a well-priced basic. CN

The surprises

The Industrial Kitchen Island. Sharp-looking island ($499) has a smart floating drawer for keeping knives handy. This extra counter space -- ostensibly for tight kitchen spaces -- would be even better if it had casters for mobility. LB

Gates lacquer coffee table and Gates lacquer side tables. Inspired by Thai bamboo tables, the Gates table failed to impress me and reminded me more of a bird cage than Thailand. I’d worry about dirt and dust accumulating in the center. Like the colors, however. DG

Organic Ikat Ogee duvet cover and shams. Ikat can be lovely, but the patterns have been so omnipresent in decorating for so long, I’m surprised they are being brought back in new colors in this bedding collection. Ready for something new. CN

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