I've done quite a few Pottery Barn "knock-offs" since I started this blog.  It is a practice that is actually pretty common among bloggers.  High end designs re-imagined on a small budget.  Typically I see something in their catalog or store that I like, and then I figure out how to create my own version.

Here are some examples that I have posted about in the past:

Their version: A reclaimed wood planter for $180
My version: Cheap lumber and paint stir sticks for $8



Their version: Painted Recycled Pine Boards $140 (At the time of the original post.. it is currently listed for $159!)
My version: Leftover Bead Board $5

Pottery Barn's Version: $120

My Version (from Oddity Inc): $37
On the other hand, something I NEVER expected to see was a project that I did originally, turn up at my PB local store two years later.

But it just did.

Yesterday I posted about my Memorial Day mantle, which featured an old Stars and Stripes burlap banner that I made back in June of 2012.  


Huh? That looks familar!

A BURLAP STARS AND STRIPES BANNER?!

And it is a pretty close replica to mine.  Burlap triangles with the exact same patterns, all strung on a piece of sisal twine.  (They sewed a sleeve on theirs and mine are just strung on through holes in the burlap.)
What is the main difference?

Their version: $23.50
My version: Maybe.. eh.. $1?

Now I'm not implying I was 'wronged' by Pottery Barn, the way Target screwed Mandi. The chances of us coming up with the same idea independently is very high.  (Since stars and stripes on pennants and burlap style banners are both every common.) Plus there are tons of similar styles of this same banner floating around. Here is an example from PlowHearth:

But clearly I'm ahead of my time, since now I'm designing Pottery Barn knock-offs before Pottery Barn even designs the original!