Today we’re going to play a little game of dinnerware doppelganger. (If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a doppelganger refers to any double or look-alike of a person.) I want to show you how I consistently find catalog look-alike dishes, for much, much less than the original price. If you keep your eyes open while shopping, you too will undoubtedly score some doppelganger dinerware! Let me show you some recent items I’ve scored.
This weekend as I was browsing through my Ballard Designs catalog, I couldn’t help but smile when I came across this:
In case you can’t see the fine print…Bee Glassware wine glasses $45 for a set of 4. I smugly walked over to Matt and pointed to the catalog picture, “Do these look familiar babe? Just look at that price!” I quickly grabbed one of my glasses, still bearing it’s price tag (man those things are hard to remove), and thrusted it excitedly in his face. “Booyah!”
In case you can’t see that not-so-fine print, it says $1.99 per glass! That is $8 for a set of four! I found these bee glasses a few months ago at a store called the Christmas Tree Shop and knew they looked familiar. More importantly, I thought they were adorable and would be fun to drink iced tea from. At $2 a glass, I splurged and picked up 6. Although they are not perfect and one of the glasses has a slight bubble in the glass, they are adorable. If you’re willing to give up perfectionism, for goodenoughism, then a bunch of affordable pretties can be yours!
Okay, let’s move on to Exhibit B. I had been in search of some pretty white dishes for a few months, and I knew what I wanted to spend on them….less than $100 for an entire set. I had looked at some thrift stores, some discount stores, and my beloved Christmas Tree Shop, but nothing was doing it for me. I really liked the Emma plates by Pottery Barn and wanted something similar to those.
Then Chris posted these gorgeous Dollar Tree plates (yes….DOLLAR TREE!) and I about died! They look almost identical to the Pottery Barn dishes. Unfortunately NONE of my Dollar Trees carry these plates; however, I’m told that some carry the dinner plates, salad plates, mugs, and bowls. Lucky you if you find them!
I was determined to find something similar and then came across these plates at Walmart. Yep. Walmart! I bought two boxes of these dishes and I love them! They are called the Canopy Collection Beaded Porcelain and currently run $39.96 for a set of 16. Tip: Order them site to store to save on shipping.
And here is Pottery Barn’s Emma Dinnerware Collection, on sale for $142. Pretty similar, eh?
Let’s move on to Exhibit C. The look alike Crate & Barrel pitcher! I found this pitcher at the Christmas Tree Shop and I honestly can’t remember what I paid but I think it was less than $10. I’ve always admired the one from Crate & Barrel and this pitcher is practically identical!
The Crate & Barrel version runs $26.95 which really isn’t that bad for a pitcher, but why pay more if you don’t have to?
And lastly, I have Gina from The Shabby Creek Cottage to thank for my William Sonoma doppelganer single serve trifle dishes. Gina wrote how she found these adorable trifle dishes at the Williams Sonoma outlet only later to find the EXACT same ones at Walmart for less. We use these little bowls every day for yogurts, cereal, ice cream, sauces, and even small flower arrangements. Love them!
Okay, so let’s break it down cliff notes style:
It just goes to show that if you are observant and determined you can find the look you want for less! How about you? Do you have any doppelganger dinnerware scores or tips to share?
Also, JCPenney sales a set of plates that look identical to the Pottery Barn collection. I bought mine with a coupon for 60% off home goods and for a set of 12 dinner plates, 12 salad plates, 12 ramakins, and 12 coffee cups and saucers for only $35!
What a great deal! Thanks for the share.
Beth, you really picked up a good deal on those bee glasses. I saw them last week at a boutique in Celebration FL. They were $30 for a set of two!
Found the same white dishes Marshall’s and then I checked TJ Maxx and they had them too. BUT – you never know if you’re going to find a complete set when you shop there.
And I use GoofOff (or is it GooOff) to remove sticky gunk like stickers.
I was researching the Canopy beaded dinnerware and found your info. Do you still like them? Are the plates relatively flat? I had Mikasa plates that were almost bowl like and my husband hated them. Just wanted to see what your thought were. I’ll be checking out your page as well. Great stuff! Thanks
OMG i have those walmart dishes. I found them on clearence last winter for ….either 19.99 or 29.99 for service for 4. I was excited contemplated it then go them. Love them had them for almost a year and they still look great!
discount places will copy things from those kinds of stores. a few years ago we bought everything from target to redo our bathroom to look exactly like a pottery barn bathroom!
also i have similiar white dishes from walmart, have had them for almost 10 years with never a chip or break!
I saw some dishes like those at Dollar Tree for (obviously) a buck a piece. Seriously considering it 🙂
Oh, and rubbing alcohol is my favorite adhesive remover.
I also have the Dollar Tree plates–I’d admired the ones in the Ballard catalog and when I saw the look alikes at DT I used them to replace my china. They also say Royal Norfolk on the back, which I felt was a sign ;-). They’ve held up great and I called DT headquarters to ask about lead. They said that they independently test (sending inspectors to the factory) to ensure that these items are within federal standards.
I love all the deals!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
WOW!! I was most impressed that your items ACTUALLY DO look just like the over priced ones!! Boy, the next time I want something expensive, I’m emailing you to tell me where to find it cheaper 😉 Next time you should have us guess which one is which!
Great Tips!
I actually have 4 trifle dishes that were given to me. I use two of them in the kitchen – one to hold my metal scrubbers, and another to hold my vegetable scrubber. The other two look Great in the bathroom! – one holds cotton balls and the other holds Q-tips perfectly.
I am still loving the Canopy White dish set. However, I have pretty new (3 years) Ikea dishes (all white). Maybe one day after all this moving and school endeavors, I can have Ikea as everyday wear and a pretty set for nice dinners. 🙂
Also, CUTE bee glasses!
It is SO true– all you have to do is spend some time to LOOK. You never know what you might find…
have the dishes from walmart and love them-some walmarts do carry them in the store-i haven’t found them but my sister in CT has-wish i could just get mugs-my favorite ones for my coffee
I usually just soak the item in water for a while to loosen the adhesive on the sticker. They then come off very easily.
Oh, I miss the Christmas Tree Shops with all their wonderfully great deals! We don’t have anything quite like them in SC. You got some steals to say the least.
Who knew I was a doppelganger buster – ha! I actually have those Dollar Tree dishes, too 🙂 Now I’m wishing I had a Christmas Tree Store so I could find some of those pretty little bee glasses – they’re SO adorable!
Love the practical sense you dish out every day… pinning this one ♥
Hugs,
G
Love this! I have some similar plates from Walmart that were on after Christmas clearance one year, so I got them for even cheaper than their regular price! I also see a ton of knock off crate and barrell at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Ross! This is a great post! I think so many are not willing to take the time to shop around for the deal…a girl after my own heart! 🙂
Yes, I actually found my dishes on clearance at Walmart as well! I wish I would have bought two boxes at that time. When I went back they were out so had to order (at full price) online. Ah well, still happy with them!
Oh goodness….Christmas Tree Shop is DANGEROUS!!! They just opened one in our city and I’m trying to avoid that side of town….I REALLY don’t need anything!!! But those bee glasses sure are cute….hmmmmm
Love me a good knock-off! If you can’t tell the difference, why pay for it?!
Great post, Beth!
Great info! I love finding deals! Love, love the bee glasses! I hope to find some when I finally go to The Christmas Tree Shop. I already have the white bowls from Walmart and love them.
I have similar bee glasses (without the stem) that i found years ago at TJ Maxx! The other day found dragonfly glasses at the thrift store (both sets made in France). I laugh when I see the prices in the catalogs. Great finds.
Kelly
Wow! Amazing how they look alike. To remove stickers: fill the glass/jar with hot water and let it sit, or try vegetable oil, or Goo Gone http://www.googone.com/
Great job, I love Christmas tree shop. And I bought those mugs a few months back from the dollar store, and they have the whole set at my dollar store. I bought the mugs specifically for my daughters birthday, so I didn’t get the whole set, but I’ve kind of been dying for just a plain white set of dish ware. The only thing is some of the white is like that blue white color, I’m not sure if you’ve ever seen cheap dishes from the dollar store? but many of them were pure white, you just need yo check out the dishes before you buy,so maybe I’ll go back and get the whole set. And our Walmart has your dishes at our store, because I saw them and they reminded me of the dollar store ones!
I love Christmas Tree Shop! There aren’t any in FL so I’m having major withdrawal 🙁
I love the Christmas tree shop too. Always find great stuff! Your doppelgangers are amazing!
Love it! Don’t forget that the Dollar Tree often has these items online if you do not have them in your local store!
Thanks Stephanie! And you better believe I checked Dollar Tree online (and called every store within driving distance!) before settling on my Walmart look-alikes :). In this case though, you’ll only find the plates in stores.
GREAT post! I have to keep a look out for these bargains! I feel fortunate that we have TJ, Marshalls and Homegoods. I wish we had the Christmas Tree Shop! But I think these stores stay on top of what is selling at Ballards, Pottery Barn, etc., and we get the savings!
XO,
Jane
What a great post! I saw those dishes at my local Dollar Tree and told the Husband that they looked JUST like the Pottery Barn ones! And those bee glasses are just adorable. Thanks for the great information!
Wow, great finds. A little bit of detective work goes along way! Thanks for sharing, liz
I love finding things like that. I was able to get the Dollar Tree plates and bowls thanks to the heads up from Brandi at Don’t Disturb This Groove’s blog. I love the bee glasses too. Great finds!
Pam
Great post Beth! Christmas Tree Shops and Walmart are two of my most favorite places 🙂 The Marshalls near my house is also a great place for me, it is new and huge and carries so much home stuff. I like the new buttons you made at the bottom of your post 🙂
Great examples Beth, this goes to show us all that we need to be open minded and remember that quality or pretty does not have to be costly. We just need to keep our eyes open and investigate a little bit before taking the plunge on certain items, Kathysue
Thanks Kathysue! I definitely don’t want to mislead others into thinking that these items are the same in quality as the originals. I don’t think they are. However, sometimes good enough is MORE than enough when you can’t afford the real deal :).
I have wanted those bee glasses for ages. And I’m pretty sure Cmas Tree Shops is out! May just go in there to look anyway. Such a deal!
Awesome! I had a bought a set of dishes similar at JCPenney’s a few years back. I loved the dot detail, but they were too small. The bowls seriously held like a tablespoon. LOL! I returned them and went with a plain white.
wow~ thanks for saving me more $, so i can spend more $!!:)
I just picked up the dishes at my Dollar Tree! Love the bee glasses, I wold have bought them, too!
I love Christmas Tree Shop! It is one of my favorite places to find deals on home stuff. I have gotten a lot of great steals there. I have to limit myself with how often I go there though because I end up buying way too much stuff!
Me too :)!
Loved all of it, especially the glasses with the bees! My name means honey bee so I love them! My question is about the white dishes…after you use them do they scratch up? I always see white dishes but the get the dark lined veins in them after use. I heard Pottery Barns nice expensive ones do not and was wondering how your bargain ones are doing? I really want white dishes! Had the same ugly dishes in my cupboard for 19 years. Would love to hear back! Thanks
Hi Melissa, So far so good on the white dishes. I do have a set of four square white dishes from the Dollar Tree and those have the gray knife marks on them. I’ve been using my Walmart white dishes now for several months and they look good. My only complaint would be that they have some imperfections. One or two plates has a tiny black dot on it that doesn’t wash off. But I’m okay with that. I can’t afford PB and if these break or don’t last forever, I won’t cry!
Great eye for copycat pieces!! You can barely tell the difference & I see NO difference with those bee glasses!!
BTW-If you want to get the dark marks off the white/light dishes, just use some liquid Barkeepers Friend or even the powder will work with water using a sponge. I use it on my porcelain sink all the time and it’s been 7 years now and still looks great!
I used to have Pottery Barns expensive dishes and they did get scratches on them from silverware. They are also so thick that they don’t fit in the dishwasher very well. The copycat dishes don’t appear like they will have that same problem. Love the bee glasses… So cute!
Wow – those are some great bargains. I’ve never been to a Christmas Tree Store. I wish there were one around here. I love those bee glasses.
You’ve impressed the heck out of me! Speechless!
🙂
Oh wow! I’ve been searching for some white dishes, hoping & wishing I’d find some pretty ones at the thrift. I love the Walmart set! Will have to check them out!
Love this post! What a score! Those bee glasses I swear are identical!! Great finds!
I love the bee glasses! I have to get over to the Christmas Tree shoppe…I hope they still have them! I also love the dollar tree dishes, I bought the coffee mugs when I saw them but I could kick myself for not buying the dishes… My coffee mugs have been around for about 3 months now and not one little chip (which is more than I can say for other coffee mugs I have). They seem to be pretty good quality and cheap!
Susan
I just had that exact same pitcher in my hands at Walmart today! Looking at your post just made me sad that I decided to put it back on the shelf.
Love it! A catalog high-low project!! Those bee glasses are just too cute for words!
Hi Beth, great scores! BTW, the easiest way to remove those pesky stickers is to put the objects (glassware, dinnerware) in hot soapy water in the sink. They slide right off! 🙂
Thanks Susan! These stickers were extra pesky and wouldn’t budge under soap & hot water. White vinegar soak and then hot water scrub seemed to work though :).
I made the mistake once of asking my husband to get some stickers off a few glasses. He went out to the garage proceed to use “Brake Clean” (think of the father in my Big Fat Greek Wedding+Windex, well same thing for my husband but with Brake Clean). He came back inside sure enough with all the stickers removed, but the smell of car junk was evident. Needless to say I ran them through the dishwasher a few times and then washed them by hand! Never again I will suffer with hot soapy water!
Ok, I’m impressed! All of your look alikes look sooo like the original! I need to try to do this kind of thing more. I always see thing in the catalogs & think, oh I can’t have that, and then forget about it…. you know, so I’m not always thinking about things I can’t have. But maybe I should make a mental note & keep my eyes peeled for similar but less expensive products!
Exactly! I can’t afford catalog items on most days but know that I can probably find something similar for less. It can be done :).
Better check your discounted knock-offs for lead. It’s a big problem in dishes.